Hunter Safety Education Requirement
All first-time hunters must pass one or more courses before they can get a hunting license in New York. Visit the Hunter Education page to learn more and find a free course near you.
Purchase Your Hunting License/Privilege/Permit
- At a License Issuing Agent Location
- Online or by Phone
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.
NOTE: Transactions that cannot be made via the links above: Permits for hunters with disability, the Harvest Information Program, Migratory Duck Stamp, and some reduced fee/free licenses require a separate application system or process. Please follow the links provided on this page for details on how to apply to these permits, stamps or licenses.
License Types and Fees
Annual Hunting License (View residency qualifications)
With this license you can hunt big game and small game.
***This license is required before other privileges (i.e. bowhunting, muzzleloading & turkey permit) can be purchased.***
| Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee |
|---|---|
| $22 (ages 16-69) $5 (ages 70+) $5 (ages 12-15) | $100 (ages 16+) $5 (ages 12-15) (Note: It is not necessary to purchase a separate bear tag when buying a hunting license. Small game and big game hunting is now included in the annual hunting license for both residents and nonresidents.) |
Additional Annual Hunting Privileges/Permit/Stamps (View residency qualifications)
An annual hunting license (above) must be purchased before purchasing the following privileges/stamps.
| Type | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee | Needed For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowhunting Privilege | $15 (ages 16-69) No fee (ages 70+) $4 (ages 12-15) | $30 (ages 16+) $4 (ages 12-15) | To know when you need a privilege, permit or stamp, visit the Hunting Licenses/Privileges Needed page. |
| Muzzleloading Privilege | $15 (ages 14-69) No fee (ages 70+) | $30 (ages 14+) | |
| Turkey Permit | $10 (ages 12+) | $20 (ages 12+) | |
| Harvest Information Program | No fee (ages 12+) | No fee (must register in New York even if registered in another state) | |
| Federal Duck Stamp (link leaves DEC website) | $25 (ages 16+) | ||
| Deer Management Permit | $10 (ages 16+) No fee (ages 12-15) No fee (holders of lifetime sportsman licenses purchased prior to October 1, 2009) | Harvesting antlerless deer (antlers less than 3" long) in select Wildlife Management Units. | |
| Permits for Hunter's with Disability | No fee | Using specialized equipment to aid in discharging a bow, or to discharge a firearm from a motorized vehicle. | |
Valid Dates of Annual Licenses/Privileges
- Annual hunting licenses and privileges are valid from September 1 through August 31 each year.
- The Harvest Information Program and Federal Duck Stamp is valid July 1 through June 30 annually.
Free/Reduced Fee and Lifetime Licenses
- Free/Reduced Fee Licenses: You may qualify for free/reduced fee annual hunting licenses/privileges if you are:
(For information on required documents and qualifications click the links below. In most instances, you must be a New York resident): - Lifetime Licenses: Hunt for life with our lifetime licenses! Available to residents only.
Who Needs a Hunting License
You need a hunting license if you are:
- 12 years and older and using a firearm or bow to hunt or take wild game. Persons under age 12 cannot hunt.
- Junior Hunters (12-15): review regulations and information for junior hunters, ages 12-15.
- Additional Privileges/Permits: depending on the season and species you are hunting you may need additional privileges or permits. These are listed in the table above.
You do not need a hunting license if you are:
- A resident landowner primarily engaged in farming (including lessees and members of their immediate families) when small game hunting on farm lands they are occupying and cultivating.
- A Native American living and hunting on reservation land.
- Hunting on a licensed shooting preserve or big game shooting facility..
Note: To hunt turkey, all hunters must purchase a turkey permit. There are no exceptions.
General License Information
Other Helpful Links/Resources
- Hunting Seasons
- Hunting Regulations
- Access Permits: Some state and municipal lands require a special access permit for fishing, hunting and trapping. Details on how to get the permit can be found in the links below:
