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Welcome to 2024-25 New York Hunting

2024 New York Hunting Regulations Cover

Highlights of Changes for 2024–2025

Plain Paper Licenses and Tags

The paper used for sporting licenses and carcass tags has changed from special stock (Valeron) to plain paper. This change modernizes 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 license online.

Customers will still be able to purchase their licenses and tags in-person at an issuing agent, online, or over the phone. Licenses and tags purchased online will be emailed to the license holder so they can print from home. Licenses and tags purchased over the phone or in person will be emailed for printing at home or printed for the customer at point of sale.

Lifetime license holders should also expect to receive their 2024–25 license and tags on plain paper by mail by Sept. 1, 2024. You will also have the option to sign up for email delivery of your lifetime license and tags by calling 1-(866) 933-2257 beginning in January of 2025.

More information on this change is available at dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting. To learn how to correctly fill out your tags, please refer to Print & Tag.

Backtags No Longer Required

As a result of law change, backtags are no longer required while hunting anywhere in New York State.

New Hunters: Learn to Hunt

For many novice hunters, the lack of an experienced mentor can be a significant obstacle to going afield for the first time. The challenges of learning where to go, how to hunt effectively, or what to do once you harvest an animal, prevents many potential hunters from attempting or continuing to hunt. DEC now has a webpage dedicated to helping new hunters overcome these barriers. The Learn to Hunt Opportunities page on the DEC website (https://on.ny.gov/learntohunt) includes information on Next Step courses, the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program, sponsored pheasant hunts, and mentored hunts. These programs help new hunters develop the skills they will need to be safe and successful.

Non-lead Ammunition Rebate Program—Going Statewide

DEC is partnering with researchers to implement a multiyear study to determine the reduction in eagle deaths resulting from use of non-lead ammunition for deer hunting. Researchers are offering a rebate of up to $60 to hunters for purchase of certified non-lead ammunition.

PENDING Legislation Regarding Rifles in Niagara County

At the time of press, legislation was pending that would allow use of rifles for big game hunting in Niagara County except within the cities of Niagara Falls, Lockport, and North Tonawanda. Check DEC's website for status of these changes before going afield this fall. Go to dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/regulations/recent-rule-changes.