Hunting and Trapping Newsletter

Registration Open for In-Person Hunter Education and Trapper Education Courses

All first-time hunters and trappers planning to go afield this fall must first complete a mandatory hunter education course or trapper education course before they can purchase a hunting or trapping license. In-person, instructor-led certification courses for hunter education, bowhunter education, and trapper education are being offered throughout NYS. Courses fill quickly, so do not delay in registering for a course. All courses are free of charge. To locate a course near you, visit DEC's website.

New York State 2022-2023 Hunting and Trapping Licenses On Sale Now

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) for the 2022-2023 season are on sale now. Several opportunities initiated last year are available to hunters again this year.

"Half a million New Yorkers enjoy hunting each year, Commissioner Seggos said, and the expanded hunting opportunities that began last fall bring even greater excitement. As always, safety is a top priority, and we remind all hunters to follow the key principles of hunter safety."
Licenses and permits can be purchased online, at any one of DEC's license-issuing agents, or by telephone at 866-933-2257. The new hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2023, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase.

New York's habitat serves a vital role in maintaining healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife resources. Purchasing a hunting, fishing, or trapping license helps to support DEC's important conservation projects and ensures the future of natural resources for generations to come. DEC also encourages outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat & Access Stamp each year. Funds from the $5 Habitat & Access Stamp support projects to conserve habitat and improve public access for fish-and-wildlife-related activities. This year's Habitat & Access Stamp features a red eft, a juvenile eastern newt.