Environmental Conservation Police Q & A
ECOs Manns, Bohling, and Bevis with an illegally harvested buck dubbed as "King Louie" by the locals in Montgomery County due to his enormous size.
Contact an Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) — 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267)
For an up-to-date list of ECOs in each region, visit dec.ny.gov/about/contact-us/environmental-conservation-officer-rosters
Q: I’m using an app that shows land owned by New York State — can I hunt on that land?
A: State lands are owned by DEC, DOT, SUNY, NYS Parks, Thruway, and others. It’s your responsibility to check the rules for each property, as even some DEC lands are off-limits to hunting. You can always contact your local ECO to determine legality.
Q: What documentation must I carry when hunting?
A: You must carry your hunting license, plus carcass tags (deer, bear, turkey), any special permits (e.g., turkey permit), and a duck stamp with HIP# (if hunting migratory game birds). “Hunting license” means the printed license listing privileges or a lifetime license card or NY driver’s license with an “Adventure” hunting icon. You may also use your HuntFishNY app for proof of a hunting license.
Q: Are deer urine scents legal in NY?
A: Yes, but DEC strongly urges hunters not to use natural deer urine products to protect NY deer from Chronic Wasting Disease. Hunters who want to use deer attractant scents should only use synthetic products.
Q: Can I hunt small game with a rifle in counties where deer hunting with a rifle is prohibited?
A: Yes, but if any deer season is open, you cannot use a rifle larger than .22 caliber. You may not possess rifles afield on Long Island or in Westchester County.
Q: If the trapping season is open, can I hunt for that species?
A: It depends on the season and species. Some furbearers may only be trapped, while some can also be hunted, but during different seasons. Coyote is a good example of a species that can be hunted and trapped, but season dates for hunting and trapping this species are different, so be sure to check the guide before going afield.
Q: I own a camp and property in New York. Can I purchase a resident hunting license?
A: Residency is a fixed, permanent, and principal home to which a person always intends to return. Simply owning land or paying taxes does not make one eligible for resident license fees. See more information on residency.
Q. Can our hunting party share Deer Management Permits (DMPs) on a deer drive?
A: No, only the person possessing the DMP may take an antlerless deer. DMPs may be consigned from one hunter to another, but this needs to happen before the deer is harvested. See the DMP consignment rules for more info.
Q: Can I target shoot on DEC lands?
A: Yes, on some DEC lands. Many DEC state lands, including State Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) have specific rules prohibiting target shooting in some or all areas — call ahead. If a portion of a DEC property is posted as being open to target shooting, you may not damage live trees and must remove all litter.
Q: Can I carry a handgun while bowhunting deer/bear during the special bowhunting seasons?
A: No, you may not possess a firearm of any type while bowhunting during those seasons. Possession of a handgun in NY requires a NY Pistol Permit. NY does not recognize any permits from other states.
Q: When do tree stands have to be removed from state-managed lands?
A: On DEC-managed lands, tree stands (including scaffolds, raised platforms, ladders, steps, and other devices to assist in climbing) labeled with a name and address or DEC ID number may be left overnight but must be removed at the end of the hunting season. Tree stands (including ladders and steps) may not injure the tree.
Q: When do duck blinds have to be removed?
A: Hunting blinds placed in navigable waters must be labeled with the owner’s name and address then removed from navigable waters no later than Mar. 15 each year.
Q: When waterfowl hunting, how far offshore are you allowed to anchor down? Is this considered trespassing?
A: Where a waterfowl hunter can anchor varies depending on the location. Ultimately, it is the hunter’s responsibility to ensure they can legally anchor and hunt where they are discharging their firearm. In most non-tidal areas, the property boundary is the mean low water mark and hunters can legally anchor below this mark. However, the hunter should confirm the underwater lands are within the public domain. Most counties now have publicly accessible property boundary maps online. In tidal areas, the public domain typically extends to the mean high-water mark.
Q: May I use a remote camera on public land to monitor wildlife activity?
A: No. Remote cameras may not be left on State Forests or Wildlife Management Areas unless specifically authorized by DEC.
Q: Can I use a remote camera to meet the trap check guidelines?
A: No, you need to physically check the traps within the trap check time regulations.
Q: Can I waterfowl hunt on a stream designated and posted as a NYSDEC “Public Fishing Stream”?
A: No, Public Fishing easements are for fishing only. Access for other recreational activities would require landowner permission.
Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
New York State is a member of Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC), which is an agreement between 47 states to share information regarding hunting, fishing, and trapping convictions.
The IWVC gives members the capability to honor each other's license revocations so a violator convicted in one state may be barred from hunting, fishing, or trapping in all member states, at the discretion of each state.
Call NYSDEC Law Enforcement at 518-402-8816 or visit wildlifecrimestoppers.org.
Report All Poachers and Polluters
1-844-DEC-ECOS (844-332-3267)
Approximately 250 field ECOs patrol the entire state. Their job includes enforcement of fish and wildlife laws and state environmental quality laws. ECOs rely on the eyes and ears of our dedicated members of the sporting community to report suspected violations. Poachers and other violators are stealing from you, your children, and our environment.
As soon as possible, call the hotline to report suspected violations. Dispatchers will assist you in filing a complaint. You may ask to have your name kept confidential or file anonymously.
Complaints are forwarded to an ECO for investigation. The sooner you call and the more detailed information you provide, the more likely the violator will be apprehended. Try to remember the “who, what, when, where, and how” of the event.
Keep your distance.
Do not approach or confront suspects. They may be dangerous, destroy evidence, or simply evade officers if forewarned.
Who did it?
Provide names, age, sex, height, weight, clothing, or vehicle descriptions, etc.
What occurred?
What exactly is the nature of the violation? Examples — taking deer using bait, over limit, shooting from roadway, trespass, using tags of another, after hours, non-resident buying a resident license.
When did it occur?
Dates and times. Has it already happened, is in progress, or yet to happen?
Where did it occur?
Provide exact street addresses, town/county, GPS locations, or other ways the officer can locate the scene, suspects, and evidence.
How did it occur?
What were the exact circumstances or actions associated with the violation?
