New York Hunting And Trapping Licenses Now Available

Hunters and Trappers in New York State: licenses and permits are now available for the 2026-2027 season.

Amanda Lefton, Commissioner for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, made the announcement today (August 6, 2026) that the hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits are now on sale.

Requirements for Buying A License

• Complete contact information. For those who want their license and/or tags emailed, a valid email address is required.
• DEC customer ID number (if applicable).
• Proof of residency.
• If purchasing by phone or internet, a valid credit card.
• If not already entered in DEC’s automated licensing system, hunters must provide proof of hunter or trapper education certification or a copy of a previous license for all hunting and trapping license purchases.

With more than 5 million acres of public land and thriving wildlife populations in New York State, nearly 550,000 New Yorkers enjoy connecting with nature and providing for their families by hunting and trapping each year. In some parts of New York, deer populations are too abundant. DEC recently adopted deer hunting regulation changes to reduce impacts to habitat and benefit deer health and the public by increasing the availability of Deer Management Permits, expanding the September antlerless season, and creating the Earn-a-2nd-Buck tag system to encourage hunters to Choose a Doe. - NYS DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton

 

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Where To Purchase Your License Or Permit

• Online through the NYS DEC website
• Through any of the NYS DEC's license-issuing agents' websites
• By telephone at 1-866-933-2257

According to the NYS DEC announcement, licenses for hunting and trapping are valid from September 1 through August 31, and annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

The DEC also noted that lifetime licensees who receive their licenses and tags electronically need to check their email. Persons still receiving them via mail should receive them this Month (August 2026).

When Can The NYS DEC Center Be Contacted?

NYS DEC Call Center Operating Hours through November 30th:

• 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 22nd and 29th.

Regular call center weekday hours resume on December 1.

Need More Information?

Visit the NYS DEC General Sporting License Information webpage, and for hunters with a disability, visit the Permits for Hunters with Disabilities webpage.

View the latest Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which outlines pertinent rules and regulations, on the NYS DEC Hunting webpage.

As they prepare for the upcoming fall hunting season, the NYS DEC reminds hunters to stay up to date on changes to regulations on the DEC Hunting webpage.