The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that sporting licenses and Deer Management Permits for the 2016-17 season are now on sale.

Licenses and permits can be purchased at any one of DEC’s license-issuing agents, in person, by telephone, or online.

Deer Management Permits will be available at all license-issuing outlets or by phone, internet or mail through October 1, 2016. Deer Management Permits, which are used to ensure proper management of the deer herd, are issued through a random selection process at the point of sale. Customers who are selected will receive their permits immediately. The chances of obtaining a Deer Management Permits remain the same throughout the application period – hunters do not need to rush to apply for a Deer Management Permit on the first day of sale. The 2016 chances of selection for a Deer Management Permit in each Wildlife Management Unit are available online, through License Issuing Agents, or the Deer Management Permits Hotline at 1-866-472-4332.

The new Hunting & Trapping Regulations guide, which provides a compendium of pertinent rules and regulations, will be available in August at all license issuing outlets and on the DEC website along with a list of license-issuing agents.

The DEC Call Center is accessible from 8:30 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays through October 1, 2016. Regular call center weekday hours (8:30 am to 4:30 pm) will resume on October 2.

Individuals should have the following items ready when buying a license:
• Complete name and address information
• DEC customer ID number (if applicable)
• Proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license or non-driver’s ID with a valid NYS address)
• and, if purchasing by phone or internet, a valid credit card.

If not already entered in DEC’s automated licensing system, individuals are required to provide proof of hunter or trapper education certification or a copy of a previous license for all hunting and trapping license purchases. For additional information, click here.