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NYS DEC: Hunting, Trapping licenses now on sale for 2024-2025 season; licenses and tags will now officially be print paper instead of synthetic

Published on August 12, 2024

DEC Deer Hunting

The New York State DEC says that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits are now on sale for the 2024-2025 season.

With that said, hunters, trappers and anglers alike are reminded that as of August 1, all sporting licenses, including game tags, will instead be printed on plain paper rather than the stock synthetic paper that so many are accustomed to.

This change, according to DEC officials, will modernize the license purchasing process by allowing easier, quicker access to licenses and tags and offering at-home license and tag printing options for the increasing number of hunters, trappers, and anglers who purchase their licenses online.

To clarify, the DEC says electronic tagging will not be available for the 2024-25 license year and tags are required to be printed on plain paper and carried while afield.

Additionally, when hunters and anglers are afield, proof of valid license can be shown electronically through the HuntFishNY mobile app, which serves as a fast and easy way for hunters to report their game harvests.

Currently, the only option for back-tags and carcass tags will be plain paper.

Speaking of which, DEC officials say hunters are no longer required to wear a back-tag while afield anywhere in New York State, but carrying an electronic or hard-copy license and tags is still required.

Furthermore, the number of hunting-relating shooting incidents is declining, but even one incident is too many, the DEC warns. Hunters can prevent injuries and fatalities by following the cardinal rules of hunting safety:

  1. Assume every firearm to be loaded.
  2. Control the muzzle in a safe direction.
  3. Keep your finger off the trigger until firing.
  4. Be sure of your target and beyond.
  5. Wear fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink. 
  6. Fluorescent orange or pink not only improve visibility and safety, wearing these colors is also required when hunting big game with a firearm. 

NYS DEC image.

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