Environment DEC
From the September 2004 issue
2004-05 Sporting Licenses Available Now
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty announced that hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and deer management permits (DMP) for 2004-05 can be purchased now. Licenses and permits are available at DEC's 1,600 license sales outlets statewide. They also can be ordered by mail or by phone. All sporting licenses are valid from October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005.
DEC is now issuing
sporting licenses for the
upcoming seasons
"New York State is committed to helping provide outdoor enthusiasts with numerous recreational opportunities to enjoy the beauty of our state throughout the year," Commissioner Crotty said. "As DEC kicks off another license year, we will continue to help meet the needs of sportsmen and sportswomen by making improvements to better serve the public and protect our natural resources."
License and Tag Improvements
The Department of Environmental Conservation Automated Licensing System (DECALS) is New York State's program for issuing sporting licenses and also is used to track sales and revenues. Since last year, DEC has improved sporting license and carcass tag sets to make them easier to distinguish from those for preceding years. The year designation on the tags now matches the license year; that is, 04-05 for 2004-05.
DECALS
A sample sporting license
Beginning August 16, 2004, individuals were able to purchase 2004-05 licenses and permits through DECALS at all license issuing outlets across the state, including during the 2004 New York State Fair in Syracuse. License applications also can be mailed in, with applications available for download from DEC's Web Site or by calling 1-866-472-4332. If an applicant has previously purchased a license through DECALS, they also can purchase licenses by calling 1-866-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257). Hours of operation for the Call Center are 8 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday.
Applicants should have the following items with them: complete name and address information, proof of residency (driver's license number or non-driver's ID number to qualify for a resident license), and, if purchasing by phone, a credit card number and expiration date. Hunting license purchases require individuals to show proof of hunting education certification or a copy of last year's license, or this information must be contained in their DECALS file already.
Deer Management Permits
Deer management permits (DMP), for antlerless deer only, will be available at all license issuing outlets, by phone and by mail, from August 16, 2004 through close of business on October 1, 2004. DMPs are issued by an instant lottery selection process at the point of sale, and customers who are selected for DMPs will receive their permits immediately. The probabilities for DMP selection in each wildlife management unit (WMU) are determined by the number of applications expected for each WMU and the number of DMPs that DEC must issue to effectively manage the deer herd.
An applicant's chances of selection also are affected by their residency, number of preference points, land ownership, or disabled veteran's status. Probabilities in each WMU are listed in this year's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, available at license issuing agent locations or via DEC's Web Site. The odds of getting a DMP remain the same throughout the application period from August 16 to October 1. Therefore, there is no need for hunters to rush to apply for their DMPs on the first day of sale.
If a significant number of DMPs still are available in a WMU after October 1, 2004, sales of leftover DMPs will commence on November 1, 2004. They will continue on a first-come/first-served basis until the end of the hunting season or until all DMPs have been issued in the WMU.
DEC plans to issue approximately 550,000 DMPs this year, which is somewhat lower than last year's objective. Deer populations still are generally high, with approximately 1 million deer inhabiting the state. Current management prescriptions are intended to achieve optimum deer populations for all New Yorkers. This requires population reductions in some areas, population stabilization in others and increases elsewhere. Lower DMP targets for 2004 generally result from deer populations more closely approaching management objectives and the lingering effects of the winter of 2002-03.
The Game Harvest Telephone Reporting System has undergone major revisions since last fall, including increased phone lines and improved reporting software, to significantly facilitate reporting this year.
Habitat/Access Stamp
DEC encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp when they purchase their license. The Habitat/Access Stamp is available to people who want to support DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access to fish and wildlife related recreation.
This year's stamp features a line drawing of a beaver, the New York State mammal. Buying a $5.00 habitat stamp is the perfect way for young or old, angler or hunter, birder or photographer to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage. Those who purchase this stamp at the New York State Fair also will receive a beautiful habitat/access lapel pin while supplies last.
