This page identifies who qualifies for a free or reduced fee sporting license/privileges and how to get them. For more information, please contact DEC's License Sales at [email protected]
Free/Reduced Fee Sporting Licenses
Beginning with the 2024/2025 license year, all New York sporting licenses, tags, and other printable items were formatted to fit on 8.5 x 11 plain paper. If you make a purchase at a License Issuing Agent (LIA) and they print your transaction, they are able to charge a $1 printing fee. When purchasing online or over the phone and you request to have your items printed and mailed, you will be charged a $2 fee. Printing and mailing fees can be avoided if you choose to have your transaction email to you or to print your items from you online account. If you choose to print your transaction at home, once your transaction is complete, you will be able to download and print the items you purchased as well as receiving them in an email. DO NOT PRINT LICENSES AND TAGS DOUBLESIDED. If you choose to have your transaction mailed, you will need to allow up to 14 business days for it to arrive. If you need to have a mailed transaction replaced before 14 business days, replacement fees would apply unless you choose to print your items from your online account (see below).
Printing your license and tags from online account: Additional copies of your license can be obtained by navigating to your "My Account" page and visiting the "Active Licenses, Permits & Privileges" section. Select "Print Active Licenses" from that page to download a new copy of your licenses.
In the field, hunters and trappers may carry a plain paper copy of their license, or an electronic copy of their license in the free HuntFishNY mobile app. Either form is sufficient for proof of licensure. Currently, the only option for carcass tags is plain paper. Anglers may provide proof of licensure electronically through the HuntFishNY app, with a printed copy on plain paper, or simply by providing an office their 12-digit DEC ID number.
Use the links on the left to find information on qualifications for a free/reduced fee sporting license:
Active-Duty Military Members
"Active Service" means full-time or part-time status in one of the branches of New York/U.S. Military Forces.
| Qualification | What You Can Get |
|---|---|
| Resident military members of NYS Organized Militia or U.S. Reserve Forces | Free fishing, hunting and trapping licenses |
| Resident active military members of U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside New York who are home on leave for 30 days or less (Note: if you are a New York resident stationed in New York, regular license fees apply) | |
| Nonresident military members stationed in New York (>30 days) | Resident prices for fishing, hunting or trapping licenses |
How To Get Your Free/Reduced Fee License
- Required documents/proof:
- Military ID Card
- Completed Certificate of Active Military Affidavit (PDF) Note: this form is not necessary to complete for online transactions; however, you will be required to enter the same information.
- For resident U.S. Armed Forces: Authorized leave/furlough orders showing you are stationed outside of NY and on leave/furlough for 30 days or less.
- For hunting licenses/privileges or trapping license: an appropriate hunter education program certificate or previous license/privilege.
- Where/how to get your licenses/privileges: Visit a license issuing agent location. NYS resident military members can also make transactions through the online license issuing system.
Military Veterans (residents only)
| Qualification | What You Can Get |
|---|---|
| Military veterans with 40% or more service-related disability who are residents of New York State | $5 fishing, hunting or trapping license. If you purchase one license, you get the other two free within the same calendar year. For example, if a fishing license is purchased for $5 in April, the hunting and trapping licenses are free if purchased on or before December 31st of the same calendar year. |
| Free bowhunting & muzzleloading privileges (base hunting license is required) | |
| Preference on Deer Management Permit selection |
How To Get Your Free/Reduced Fee License
- Required documents/proof:
- Annual disability: Each year you must provide a letter from the Veteran's Administration (VA), dated in the current year, with your annual case number and your disability percentage.
- Permanent disability: If you are claiming permanent disabled status, the VA letter must clearly state your service-related disability is 'permanent'.
- For hunting licenses/privileges or trapping license: an appropriate hunter education program certificate or previous license/privilege.
- Proof of NYS residency
- Where/how to get your licenses/privileges:
- For annual disability, you can get your license(s) at a license issuing agent location or through the online license issuing system
- For permanent disability, you need to provide proof one time at a license issuing agent location. Once you are entered in the system, you can get your licenses/privileges: online, by phone (1-866-933-2257, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) or at a license issuing agent location.
Juniors (15 & Under)
| Qualification | What You Can Get |
|---|---|
| Juniors 12-15 years old (resident & nonresident) | $5 hunting license |
| $4 bowhunting privilege ($5 base hunting license is required) | |
| Juniors 15 and younger (resident & nonresident) | $5 Trapping license |
Note: Fishing licenses are not required for children 15 and younger.
How To Get Your Free/Reduced Fee License
- Required documents/proof:
- For hunting licenses/privileges or trapping license: an appropriate hunter education program certificate or previous license/privilege.
- Proof of NYS residency, if applicable. Parents proof of residency qualifies for children 15 and under.
- Where/how to get your licenses/privileges:
At a license issuing agent location or through the online license issuing system
Seniors (70+)
| Qualification | What You Can Get |
|---|---|
| Senior citizens 70 years and older who are New York State residents | $5 each fishing, hunting and trapping licenses |
| Free bowhunting & muzzleloading privileges ($5 base hunting license is required) |
How To Get Your Free/Reduced Fee License
- Required documents/proof:
- For hunting licenses/privileges or trapping license: an appropriate hunter education program certificate or previous license/privilege.
- Proof of NYS residency, if applicable. Parents proof of residency qualifies for children 15 and under.
- Where/how to get your licenses/privileges: At a license issuing agent location or through the automated online or phone license issuing system.
Persons with Disabilities
| Qualification | What You Can Get |
|---|---|
| Residents of New York State who are legally blind | Free fishing license |
How To Get Your Free/Reduced Fee License
- Required documents/proof:
- Signed letter dated in the current year from your doctor, which states your condition.
- Proof of NYS residency
- Where/how to get your license: Visit a license issuing agent location or send a copy of your proof to DEC's License Sales Unit by e-mail or fax 518-402-9025.
Permits for Hunters with Disability
Special permits are required for hunters who need to use special equipment to discharge a bow or use a motorized vehicle to discharge a firearm due to their disability. For details on how to apply, visit the Permits for Hunters with Disability page.
Indigenous Peoples
| Qualification | What You Can Get |
|---|---|
| Native American members of the Shinnecock and Unkechaug Nations, and members of the Haudenosaunee Nations enrolled on reservations wholly or partially in New York State hunting, fishing, and trapping off of Nation territory | Free fishing, hunting & trapping licenses |
| Free muzzleloading & bowhunting privileges |
Note: Recognizing the sovereignty of Indigenous Nations and their governments, tribal members do not need a hunting, fishing, or trapping license from DEC when engaged in these activities on Nation territory. When hunting, fishing, or trapping off of Nation territory, members may use their tribal identification card or free hunting, fishing, or trapping license issued by DEC.
How To Get Your Free Licenses
- Required documents/proof:
- Native American ID
- Proof of NYS residency
- Certification of residency on reservation that lies wholly or partly within New York State
- A valid hunter education program certificate or previous license/privilege (for hunting or trapping licenses/privileges purchase only).
- Where/how to get your licenses/privileges:
- Directly through your Reservation Tribal Office, or send copies of the required documents listed above to DEC's License Sales Unit by e-mail or fax 518-402-9025.
Full-Time Nonresident Students
| Qualification | What You Can Get |
|---|---|
| Nonresident students attending a New York State college or university full-time | Resident prices for fishing, hunting and trapping licenses |
How To Get Your Free/Reduced Fee License
- Required documents/proof:
- Signed letter from your College/University registrar that states your enrollment in the current year.
- For hunting licenses/privileges or trapping license: an appropriate hunter education program certificate or previous license/privilege.
- Where/how to get your license: Visit a license issuing agent location or send a copy of your proof to DEC's License Sales Unit by e-mail or fax 518-402-9025.
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