NEW starting August 1, 2024:
The DEC is transitioning to printing licenses on plain paper vs. the special license paper that they have been utilizing. They are making this change as they are experiencing difficulty in acquiring the special paper due to supply chain issues and increased costs. This will also allow hunters, trappers and anglers to purchase and print their licenses and tags at home. If you are printing from home, be sure to keep it single sided as tags will need to be cut out to be attached to harvested deer, bear, or turkey.
Another advantage is that customers will be able to avoid replacement fees for lost licenses and tags by reprinting them at home from their DECALS account or from the PDF documents that will be emailed to them if an email is supplied at the time of purchase.
Hunters, trappers and anglers will be able to purchase their licenses online, over the phone, or from a DECALS agent (the Town of Chili Town Clerks office is an agent). Purchases made online will include an email receipt with a PDF copy of licenses and tags which can be printed at home. Purchases made at an Agent location may be printed by the agent or received by email. Purchases made by phone may be printed and mailed from the DEC or received by email.
Lifetime Hunting License holders should receive their licenses and tags in the mail, printed on plain paper, by September 1, 2024. They will also be able to start receiving these via email starting January 2025 if they sign up for email delivery by creating a username and password for their DECALS account.
Q: If the new tags are plain paper and not weather resistant, won’t they get damaged when afield hunting?
A: It is the hunter’s responsibility to protect their license and tags. Carcass tags must still be filled out, dated, signed, and attached to the animal as required by regulation. DEC suggests storing licenses and tags in a waterproof bag or container while hunting and placing the completed carcass tag in a zip-top bag or other reusable waterproof protector and securely fastening it to the deer, bear, or turkey to ensure the tag remains protected and legible. Tags do not have to be attached to the carcass while it is being dragged or physically carried from the field but must be attached as soon as it is taken to a home, camp, or point where transportation is available.
Q: What can hunters, trappers, and anglers show to an Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) as a proof of licensure when afield?
A: Hunters and trappers will have the option of carrying a plain paper copy of their license, or an electronic copy of their license in the free HuntFishNY mobile app. In addition to the paper copy of their license and the electronic license in the HuntFishNY app, anglers can also provide an officer with their 12-digit, DEC ID number. Currently, the only option for backtags and carcass tags is plain paper.
We appreciate your patience with navigating these changes. As always, we are here to assist you with your hunting and fishing licenses at the Clerk’s office.
New York State Fishing License
Who Should Obtain:
- Anyone under 16 may fish WITHOUT a license in NYS.
- 16 and older require an adult license.
- Non-residents of New York State can purchase an individual non-resident license.
- For more information, visit the website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html
Hunting Licenses
Hunting License General Information
- A hunter education course is required for anyone who cannot show proof that they have ever possessed a hunting license. Please note that their program has changed and you must download a 108 page hunter manual and worksheet that must be completed prior to attending the class. To obtain these downloads, please visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7860.html.
- Hunter education certificates and sporting licenses from all other states and countries are honored.
- Hunters wishing to bow hunt must take an additional bow hunter education course.
- Anyone 12 years of age or older must obtain a license to hunt.
- For a resident license, a person must live in New York State for more than thirty days prior to the date of application.
- Land ownership does not make you a resident. Your residency must be your fixed, permanent, and principal home.
- If under 18, the residence of your parents or legal guardian is your residence.
For more information about the various conservation licenses available, please visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/63.html