From the September 2005 issue

Sporting Licenses Available for 2005-06 Seasons

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan recently announced that 2005-06 hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, and Deer Management Permits (DMP) are available and can now be purchased via the internet. Commissioner Sheehan kicked off the announcement by buying her 2005 hunting license and a habitat stamp at the opening of the New York State Fair in Syracuse on August 25, 2005. Previous license and permit purchasing options are, of course, still available as well, namely: buying in person at one of DEC's 1,600 license sales outlets statewide, or ordering by phone or mail. All sporting licenses are valid beginning October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006.

"Since the inception of DECALS, it has been our goal to make sporting licenses more readily available to everyone," Commissioner Sheehan said. "Hunters, anglers and others who support the conservation of our resources and are current license holders can now go online to support the programs that help further DEC's efforts to effectively manage fish, wildlife and habitat in New York State. 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."

New Internet Purchasing Option

All current license holders can go to the DECALS web page (see "Related Links" below) and purchase hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, Deer Management Permits, Habitat Stamps and Conservationist magazine subscriptions. Individuals can also make a financial donation to support the Venison Donation Coalition, which is a new feature that can be done online, as well as at license issuing agents. Internet sales customers will be sent a confirmation number by e-mail and receive carcass tags, licenses, permits and/or back tags by mail within two weeks of completing a purchase.

Purchasing via the internet has just been made
available this year for the first time

The Department of Environmental Conservation Automated Licensing System (DECALS) is New York State's program for issuing sporting licenses and is also used to track sales and revenues. DEC continues to improve and enhance DECALS to better meet the needs of hunters. Since August 15, 2005, individuals have been able to purchase 2005-06 licenses and permits through DECALS via the internet or at all license issuing outlets across the state, including during the 2005 New York State Fair in Syracuse.

License applications can also be mailed. Application forms are available for download from the Purchasing a Sporting License web page on DEC's website (see "Related Links" below) or by calling 1-866-472-4332. If an applicant has previously purchased a license through DECALS, they can also purchase licenses by calling 1-866-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257). Hours of operation for the call center are 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Applicant Information Needed

Applicants should have the following items ready: complete name and address; proof of residency to qualify for a resident license (driver's license number or non-driver's ID number ), and, if purchasing by phone, credit card number and card 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 already be contained in their DECALS file.

Deer Management Permits

Deer Management Permits (DMPs), for antlerless deer only, have been available via the internet, at all license issuing outlets, by phone and by mail, since August 15, 2005. DMPs will be available through midnight October 1, 2005. DMPs are issued by an instant lottery selection process at the point of sale, so 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 per WMU and the number of permits DEC must issue to effectively manage the deer herd. An applicant's chances of selection are also effected by the customer's residency, number of preference points, land ownership or disabled veteran's status.

Chances of selection in each WMU are listed in this year's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, available at License Issuing Agent locations, or are available at the Deer Management Permits Selection Process and Probabilities web page on DEC's website (see "Related Links" below). Chances of getting a DMP remain the same throughout the application period from August 15 through October 1, 2005, so hunters don't need to rush to apply for a DMP on the first day of sale. Internet customers, in particular, can apply for the DMP instant draw until midnight of October 1, 2005 and will receive immediate notification of instant draw results. If a significant number of DMPs are still available in a WMU after October 1, 2005, leftover DMP sales will commence on November 1, 2005 and will continue on a first-come/first-served basis until the end of the hunting season, or until all DMPs in a WMU have been issued.

DEC plans to issue approximately 320,000 deer management permits this year, which is approximately half of last year's objective. Lower DMP targets for 2005 are generally the results of deer populations more closely approaching management objectives, the lingering effects of the winter of 2002-03 and the record harvest of 2002.

Habitat/Access Stamp

2005-2006 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 an optional stamp 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 bluebird, the New York State bird.

Buying a $5.00 habitat stamp is the perfect way for anglers, hunters, birders and photographers, young or old, to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage. If you purchase a Habitat/Access stamp you will also receive a limited edition Habitat/Access lapel pin by mail. More information is available at the Purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp web page on DEC's website (see "Related Links" below).

Venison Donation Program

This year for the first time, everyone can help feed the hungry by contributing to the Venison Donation Program when they purchase a sporting license. You don't have to be a hunter or angler to help. Anyone can contribute via the internet or where hunting licenses are sold. In-person purchasers should inform license-sales agents that they want to make a donation of a dollar or more to support the Venison Donation Program. For more information about the Venison Donation Coalition, go to the Venison Donation Program web page on DEC's website (see "Related Links" below).