Hunting Licenses

Sporting License Fees

License Eligibility Requirements:

Mandatory Hunter Education: A hunter education course is required for persons who cannot show proof that they have ever possessed a hunting license. The general course is a minimum 10 hours in length. Department of Environmental Conservation, (DEC) honors hunter education certificates and sporting licenses from all other states and countries.

Mandatory Bowhunter Education:Hunters wishing to bowhunt for Big Game must take an additional 8 hour minimum bowhunter education course. DEC also honors bowhunter education certificates issued by:

National Field Archery Association or National Bowhunter Education Foundation or International Bowhunter Education Program issued in 1974 or later in any state or country,
Any state or provincial fish and wildlife agency (certificate or card must specify the course was for bowhunting and not a general hunting course with a bowhunting segment),
Ontario Bowhunters Association (on green or brown letterhead stationery with moosehead-bow and arrow emblem until July 31, 1987), or
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (on letterhead after August 1, 1987).

For information on hunter education courses, call 1-888 HUNT ED 2.

Residency:

To qualify for a resident license, a person must live in New York State for more than thirty days immediately prior to date of application. Land ownership in New York does not make you a resident. Residency is that place where a person maintains a fixed, permanent and principal home (regardless wherever temporarily located), such as where a person is registered to vote. If under 18, the residence of parents or legal guardian shall be deemed such person's residence.

Active members of the US Armed Forces stationed in NY and full-time college students in residence in the State during the school year (proof required) qualify for annual resident licenses.

Minimum Hunting Age:

Minors under the age of 12 may not obtain a hunting license or hunt wildlife.

License Year:

Licenses and permits are valid from October 1 through September 30. To hunt in small game or big game seasons starting prior to October 1, the previous year's license is required. Previous year big game licenses are available at all license issuing agents.

License Responsibilities:

A license, permit, tag or stamp (except Deer Management Permits) is not transferrable and may be used only by the person to whom issued.
It is not legal to possess another person's license, permit or stamp (except a transferred Deer Management Permit) while hunting, unless accompanied by the person to whom issued.
A license to hunt, trap or fish does not give the holder any right to go on private property without permission of the land owner.
You can legally purchase and possess only one big game or sportsman license per year.
It is illegal to refuse to show your license on demand to a law enforcement officer or the owner, lessee or person in control of the lands (or their designees) while on their property.
Make sure that your license has all the correct information. Carefully check it immediately after purchase or as soon as delivered in the mail. If you discover an error, have it corrected as soon as possible. Errors render a hunting or fishing license invalid.

Back Tags:

Must be visibly displayed on the middle of your back while hunting, except in the Northern Zone and Catskill Park.

Small Game License Exceptions:

All residents must have a valid hunting license in their possession except:

Resident owners primarily engaged in farming, lessees and members of their immediate families do not need a hunting license when hunting on farm lands they are occupying and cultivating.
Native Americans living on a reservation do not need a hunting license while hunting on reservation lands.

Turkey Hunting:

To hunt turkey, all hunters must purchase a turkey permit. There are no exceptions. For more information see the DEC's Turkey Hunting page.

Free Licenses:

Free hunting and trapping licenses are available to members of the Shinnecock and Poospatuck tribes and members of the Six Nations residing on reservations in the state. Free Small/Big Game, Fishing and Trapping licenses are also available to NYS residents who have the appropriate Sportsman Education and are active service members of the NYS Militia, US Reserve Forces or certain members of the US Armed Forces. For more information the Patriot Plan page.

Lost Licenses:

Beginning with the 2002/2003 license year a lost license, back tags, big game carcass tag sets and turkey permits may be replaced at any licensing issuing agent for a fee of $5 per license type being replaced and $10 per Carcass Tag Set. For example, replacing a Sportsman, a Bowhunting, a Turkey Permit and a Muzzleloading license would cost $5 x 4 license types equaling $20 and $10 x 4 Carcass tag sets equaling $40. (Even though there are four carcass tags with your turkey permit, they are considered a set and would cost $10 for all four). There is no charge to replace a lost back tag.

Falconry License:

A Falconry License authorizes the licensee to obtain, buy, sell, barter, possess, and train raptors for use in the sport of falconry, or the pursuit of small game. For more information see the Falconry License page.

More about Hunting Licenses:

Resident Hunting Licenses, Permits and Stamps - Hunting licenses, permits, and stamps available to New York residents.
Non-Resident Hunting Licenses, Permits and Stamps - Descriptions of qualifications, privileges and fee for hunting licenses, permits, stamps and tags for non-residents.
Permits for Hunters with Disabilities - New York State hunting permits for people with disabilities.
Harvest Information Program - New York State Harvest Information Program (HIP) is a legal requirement. Any person who hunts migratory game birds (this includes Woodcock) must have proof of participation whenever he or she goes afield.