Hunting & Trapping Newsletter

Where do New York’s American Woodcock Migrate?

This fall, DEC began the first year of a multi-year collaborative research project working with numerous state and federal government agencies, the Ruffed Grouse Society, American Woodcock Society, SUNY Cobleskill, and the University of Maine to better understand woodcock migration in the Eastern Management Unit. New York woodcock were captured by DEC staff at several areas across the state and affixed with lightweight satellite GPS transmitters. These small transmitters (about 4 to 6 grams) send daily locations via satellites that allow biologists to track their movements without having to recapture them.  

Nine woodcock were fitted with transmitters in NY, and many of those birds have already reached their southern wintering grounds. Interestingly, several that were marked in the same location chose to take very different routes on their way to different wintering grounds. The bird traveling the farthest west is currently in Arkansas after stops in Alabama and Mississippi!  Here, you can follow the migration live. For more information on the project, visit the NYSDEC migratory game bird research webpage.

Habitat Stamp Holiday Promotion

From now through December 31, if you purchase a $5 Habitat & Access Stamp, DEC will send you a collectible 2018-19 Habitat Patron pin featuring a barred owl. If you purchase seven stamps in one transaction ($35 donation), you will receive our entire collector series of seven pins, including the barred owl, beaver, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, wood duck, bluebird and woodcock, plus an extra 2018-19 barred owl pin … eight pins in all!

Revenue from the sale of Habitat & Access Stamps supports DEC’s efforts to improve fish and wildlife habitat and increase access for outdoor recreation. You can buy Habitat & Access Stamps online, by phone at 1-866-933-2257 (Mon - Fri 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), or at any License Issuing Agent. Quantities are limited; order today!   

HuntFishNY Mobile App

DEC's mobile app, NY Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife by Pocket Ranger, has added an e-license and game harvest reporting feature. Hunters, trappers and anglers can now have proof of holding a license right on your mobile device!  Hunters, please be aware that you must still have your backtag and carcass tags with you while hunting. The app also contains links to hunting and fishing information and regulations, as well as DEC contacts for sporting license information or law enforcement.

The NY Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife App, and HuntFishNY feature can be downloaded from the Apple app store or Google Play store. To access the e-license feature, simply click on the e-License/Report Harvest icon within the app.

NOTE: You will need a DEC Automated Licensing System (DECALS) user name and password in order to access your license documents through the app. If you have not yet created an online user name and password, visit the DECALS website. Questions? - Call our sporting license hotline at 866-472-4332.