The Town Clerk’s Office acts as a License Issuing Agent for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). They sell hunting and fishing licenses for residents and non-residents of New York State. The conservation license year begins October 1st and ends the following year on September 30th. Before purchasing a hunting license applicants must provide proof of hunter education and proof of residency.
Fishing licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase/activation. There is no education requirement to obtain a fishing license.
Hunter Education
- Proof of hunter education includes EITHER a previous hunting license OR a hunter education certificate.
- Bow hunters must provide additional proof of bow-hunter education – either a previous bow license or a bow-hunter education certificate.
- Non-resident hunters should check the DEC website for acceptable forms of proof of hunter education.
Residency
- The most common types of residency proof include: NYS driver’s license, NYS vehicle registration, NYS non-driver’s ID, student ID, or a parent’s driver’s license for a minor. Additional acceptable forms of proof are shown on the DEC web site.
- Non-residents may purchase NYS hunting and fishing licenses at an additional charge. They must still provide proof of hunter education before purchasing a hunting license.
For more detailed information about hunting and fishing privileges in New York State and a fee schedule, visit the NYSDEC website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov.
NYS DEC Sporting License System Update (Effective 8/1/24)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has updated the state’s sporting license system, effective August 1, 2024. This change transitions from the special stock synthetic paper to plain paper for state sporting licenses and carcass tags.
Aimed at improving the license-purchasing process for the growing number of hunters, trappers, and anglers who buy their licenses online, the shift to plain paper will offer at-home printing options.
Customers will continue to have the option of purchasing licenses in person at the Town Clerk’s Office. However, the new system will provide flexibility in license delivery, including printing at the point of sale or receiving licenses via email for at-home printing. Additionally, proof of licensure can now be shown electronically through the HuntFishNY mobile app, which also facilitates game harvest reporting.
The transition to plain paper is being implemented for the 2024-25 license year. Lifetime license holders should expect to receive their 2024-25 licenses and tags on plain paper by mail by September 1, 2024.
For more information on this change, please visit the DEC website, dec.ny.gov. The Town Clerk’s Office is always here to assist residents with any questions or concerns about this new system. For any local assistance, please contact us directly.
FAQs
DEC will change the type of paper used for sporting licenses and carcass tags from special license stock (Valeron) to plain paper between July 22, 2024, and August 1, 2024. Lifetime licenses and tags for the 2024-25 license year will be printed on plain paper and mailed with the expectation that they will be received no later than September 1, 2024.
Hunters, trappers, and anglers will still be able to purchase their licenses online, over the phone, and at a License Issuing Agent (LIA) location. Purchases made online will include an email receipt with a PDF copy of licenses and tags which can be printed at home. Purchases made at a LIA location may be printed by the vendor or received by email. Purchases made by phone may be printed and mailed from DEC’s license vendor or received by email.
Yes, lifetime license holders should receive their licenses and tags in the mail by September 1, 2024, printed on plain paper. Beginning in January of 2025, lifetime license holders will be able to call 1-(866)-933-2257 to arrange to have their lifetime license and tags emailed to them each year rather than delivered by mail. Once signed up for email delivery, lifetime licenses and tags will be emailed each year, allowing the license holder to retain an electronic copy of the license and to print tags at home. Lifetime license holders will also be able to sign up for email delivery as well as gaining complete access to their online profile by creating a username and password for their DECALS account.
Hunters and trappers will have the option of carrying a plain paper copy of their license or an electronic copy of their license in the free HuntFishNY mobile app. In addition to the paper copy of their license and the electronic license in the HuntFishNY app, anglers can also provide an officer with their 12-digit DEC ID number. For the 2024-25 license year, the only option for carcass tags is plain paper.
It is the hunter’s responsibility to protect their license and tags. Carcass tags must still be filled out, dated, signed, and attached to the animal as required by regulation. DEC suggests storing licenses and tags in a waterproof bag or container while hunting and placing the completed carcass tag in a zip-top bag or other reusable waterproof protector and securely fastening it to the deer, bear, or turkey to ensure the tag remains protected and legible.
New for 2024, Hunters are not required to wear back tags in the State of New York.
