Hunting and Trapping Newsletter

Q&A on New Firearm Laws

New York State recently adopted new requirements for the purchase and transfer of ownership of semi-automatic rifles and the purchase, possession, storage, and transport of firearms and ammunition in New York.

To provide guidance to New York State hunters, DEC posted a summary of Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Recent Changes to New York State Firearm Laws (PDF) and a more extensive list of Questions and Answers Regarding Impacts to Hunting and Hunting-Related Activities from Recent Changes to New York State Firearm Laws (PDF).

Buy Your Hunting License and Privileges and Apply for DMPs Today! 

2022-23 hunting and trapping licenses and privileges are on sale now at your local license issuing agent, online, or by phone. Please allow 14 business days for receipt of licenses and privileges purchased online or by phone.

The Deer Management Permit (DMP) application period ends on October 1, 2022, so be sure to apply before the deadline. Remember to check your DMP chances of selection before you apply.

For more information on hunting and trapping seasons in New York State, view our 2022-23 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide.

TAKE IT* TAG IT* REPORT IT*

Remember to report your deer, bear, and turkey harvest within seven days of take. It’s required by law and important for wildlife management!

You can report your harvests quickly and easily online or by phone at 866-426-3778.

You may also report your harvests through our HuntFishNY mobile app. The app allows hunters to report their harvests immediately while afield, even when not in cell service. A new version of HuntFishNY was recently released, so be sure to update your existing app or download from the Apple App or Google Play store!

Youth Waterfowl Program Region 1

The 25th annual Youth Waterfowl Program for young Long Island hunters aged 12 to 15 will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.

The DEC Hunter Education Program collaborates on this event with the Peconic River Sportsman's Club, South Shore Waterfowlers Association, Ducks Unlimited, Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation and the New York Conservation Officers Association.

The Youth Waterfowl Program helps prepare junior hunters for the Youth Waterfowl Days being held this year on Nov. 5 and 6, for the Long Island zone. The program includes instruction in:

• hunting ethics and regulations;
• waterfowl identification;
• firearms safety review;
• retriever and decoy use;
• cold water survival and boating safety; and
• trap shooting.

The Youth Waterfowl Program instructional course is set for Oct. 22, and the designated hunting day is Nov. 5. Applications for the Youth Waterfowl Program are due by Oct. 14. Space is limited to 30 students. DEC will follow appropriate COVID-19 precautions to ensure a safe learning environment. These protocols are subject to change based upon New York State Department of Health guidance.

Since its inception in 1998, the Long Island Youth Waterfowl Program has trained approximately 650 young waterfowl hunters.

Experienced waterfowl hunting volunteers act as mentors to help guide participants through the program and encourage youth hunters to become part of the long tradition of waterfowl hunting on Long Island. All new applicants must attend the instructional day at Peconic River Sportsman's Club on Oct. 22, which qualifies participants for the youth hunt at Southaven County Park or Hubbard County Park on Nov. 5.

Participants must be 12 to 15 years of age by Nov. 5, have completed a hunter education course by Oct. 22, possess a junior (small game) hunting license by Nov. 5, and be registered with the Harvest Information Program. For further information regarding the Youth Waterfowl Program or to sign up for the Oct. 22 instructional class, please contact the DEC Region 1 Hunter Education Program at (631) 444-0255 or e-mail R1SportsmanEducation@dec.ny.gov.

For more information on the Youth Waterfowl Hunt, visit DEC's website.

Attention Waterfowl Hunters – Please Take Precautions to Minimize Your Potential Exposure to Avian Influenza

With duck seasons opening in early October, DEC wants to remind hunters to take precautions to protect against potential exposure to avian influenza. In early 2022, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected in several eastern US States, including New York. Since then, wild bird detections have occurred in 45 of 50 states, some of which were hunter harvested birds. Although the risk to humans overall is low, hunters are at a higher risk because they directly handle waterfowl regularly. The NYSDEC Wildlife Health Unit has developed an informational brochure (PDF) on how you can minimize the risk to you and your family when handling harvested birds this fall.