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Deer Management Permits (DMPs)

See the 2012 DMP Table for DMP quotas and odds of being selected for a permit in each Wildlife Management Unit.

Hunters possessing a Deer Management Permit (DMP) may take one antlerless deer per permit, in addition to deer that may be taken with a regular big game tag or Bow/Muzz Antlerless or Bow/Muzz Either Sex tags.

  • DMPs may only be used for antlerless deer (have no antlers or antlers less than 3" long).
  • DMPs may only be used in the WMU for which they are issued.
  • DMPs are valid during all deer hunting seasons.
  • Junior Bowhunters may use DMPs during the special archery seasons and during the regular season.
  • Hunters may transfer or receive up to 2 DMPs from other hunters (see Consignment of Deer Management Permits for instructions).
  • An overview of how DMP quotas are established is available at Understanding DMPs: Quota Setting and Permit Selection.

Applying for DMPs

DMP Application Deadline: October 1, 2012.

  • DMP applications are available to all big game hunters age 14 years or older who purchase or possess a regular big game hunting license (12 years old for Junior Bowhunting license holders).
  • Hunters may apply for DMPs at all license issuing outlets, by phone, mail or on-line. Hunters who are selected will receive their tags immediately if applying at a license issuing agent, or by mail in approximately three weeks if applying via other methods.
  • There is a $10 non-refundable application fee for all applicants, except for holders of Lifetime Sportsman licenses purchased prior to 9/30/2009, and Junior Hunters & Junior Bowhunters.
  • Hunters should identify their Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) before they apply by reviewing the written boundary descriptions or using our interactive mapping feature.
  • Hunters may apply for up to two DMPs. Both must be applied for at the same time. Application can be for DMPs in the same WMU or different WMUs.

Chances of DMP selection remain the same throughout the entire DMP application period and is based on "selection categories" (see Order of Selection below), the number of applicants expected and the number of antlerless deer we desire to harvest in each WMU. See DMP Probabilities for a map of WMUs open for DMPs and for a table of the chances of selection for 1st and 2nd choice DMPs for Residents and Nonresidents.

Disabled Veterans who are residents of New York and who have a service-connected disability rated at 40% or greater will receive preference on DMPs. Annually, you must bring a letter from the Veteran's Administration, dated in the current year, with your case number and your disability percentage. If you are claiming permanent disabled status, the letter must clearly state that the service-related disability is 'permanent'.

Landowners: If you own 50 or more contiguous acres of land within the WMU you will be hunting in, you will receive preference on DMP selection. Annually, you must bring your tax map identification number and SWIS code (found on your tax bill) with you when you apply. Be sure to tell the license issuing agent PRIOR to applying that you are a landowner. Lessees do not qualify as landowners. A spouse of a landowner may receive landowner preference, but both spouses may not apply as a landowner for the same parcel of land. Corporate ownership: only one person may be designated by a corporation as the landowner each year no matter how many 50-acre parcels are owned. The corporation must submit an original letter or certified copy of a resolution, dated in the current year, designating the individual and must include the tax map ID and SWIS code information.

Preference Points

  • Preference points increase your chances of selection but do not guarantee DMP selection.
  • Preference points are won and lost on first permit selection only.
  • If you receive a DMP in your first choice WMU, all available preference points will be used.
  • If you do not receive a DMP in your first choice WMU, you will receive a preference point for the following year.
  • Any preference points contained in your file are automatically applied to your first-choice WMU selection. If you do NOT receive your first choice, the points are applied to your second choice, but will remain in your file for the following year, regardless of your second choice selection results.
  • Qualifying landowners and disabled veterans will receive their first choice DMP in all open WMUs.
  • Preference Points are not WMU specific. That is, if you earned a preference point by being denied in one WMU, you can use that preference point in a subsequent year when applying for a DMP in a different WMU.

Order of Selection

  1. Landowners and Disabled Veterans
  2. NYS Residents and Nonresidents with 3 or more preference points.
  3. Residents with 2 preference points.
  4. Residents with 1 preference points.
  5. Residents with 0 preference points.
  6. Non-Residents with 2 preference points.
  7. Non-Residents with 1 preference points.
  8. Non-Residents with 0 preference points.

Additional Opportunities for DMPs

If there are permits remaining after the initial application period ends, the remaining Leftover DMPs may be available for an extended application period beginning on or about November 1 at all License Issuing Agents.

In WMUs (1C, 3S, 4J and 8C) hunters who fill a DMP with an antlerless deer can apply for a "Bonus DMP" good for another deer of either sex. Bonus DMPs that are used to take an antlerless deer may be replaced with another Bonus DMP.

For more information regarding Deer Management Permits, you may call our DMP Information Hotline at 1-866-472-4332.


More about Deer Management Permits (DMPs):

  • DMP Availability and Probability of Selection - This page lists how many Deer Management Permits (DMPs) are available and the odds of being selected for a permit in each Wildlife Management Unit.
  • Consignment of DMPs - Summary of procedure for Consignment of Deer Management Permits.
  • Understanding DMPs: Quota Setting and Permit Selection - This article describes how Deer Management Permit quotas are calculated and how the permits are then distributed to hunters.
  • Bonus DMPs - Bonus Permits may be available to hunters who take an antlerless deer on a Deer Management Permit (DMP) or a Bonus DMP in a unit where additional harvest is required (normally Units 1C, 3S, 4J, or 8C).
  • Leftover DMPs - First come-first served Deer Management Permit (DMP) applications will be accepted starting on November 1.