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Resident Hunting Licenses, Permits and Stamps

To qualify for a resident license, a person must live in New York State for more than thirty days immediately prior to date of application. Land ownership in New York does not make you a resident. Residency is that place where a person maintains a fixed, permanent and principal home (regardless wherever temporarily located), such as where a person is registered to vote. If under 18, the residence of parents or legal guardian shall be deemed such person's residence.

Active members of the US Armed Forces stationed in NY and full-time college students in residence in the State during the school year (proof required) qualify for annual resident licenses.

  • Conservation Legacy

    • Age:
      • 16-64 Years
    • Qualifications:
      • 1. Hunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. Previous Hunting License
        PLUS
        1. Acceptable Bowhunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. NYS Bowhunting Stamp issued in 1980 or later, OR
        3. NYS Jr. Archery License issued in 1980 or later
    • Privileges:
      • All the privileges that apply to a Super Sportsman License plus a Habitat and Access Stamp and subscription to The Conservationist.
    • Cost:
      • $76.00

  • Super Sportsman

    • Age:
      • 16-64 Years
    • Qualifications:
      • 1. Hunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. Previous Hunting License
        PLUS
        1. Acceptable Bowhunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. NYS Bowhunting Stamp issued in 1980 or later, OR
        3. NYS Jr. Archery License issued in 1980 or later
    • Privileges:
      • All the privileges that apply to fishing, small game, big game, bowhunting and muzzleloading licenses and a turkey permit.
    • Cost:
      • $68.00

  • Sportsman

    • Age:
      • 16-64 Years
    • Qualifications:
      • 1. Hunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. Previous hunting license
    • Privileges:
      • All the privileges that apply to small game and big game hunting and fishing licenses.
    • Cost:
      • $37.00

  • Senior Sportsman

    • Age:
      • 65+ years
    • Qualifications:
      • 1. Hunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. Previous Hunting License
    • Privileges:
      • All the privileges that apply to small game and big game hunting and fishing licenses.
    • Cost:
      • $5.00

  • Hunting

    • Age:
      • 16-64 Years
    • Qualifications:
      • 1. Hunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. Previous Hunting License
    • Privileges:
      • Hunt small game species with gun or bow during appropriate seasons
    • Cost:
      • $16.00

  • Small and Big Game

    • Age:
      • 16-64 years
    • Qualifications:
      • 1. Hunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. Previous Hunting License
    • Privileges:
      • 1: Hunt small game species with gun or bow during appropriate seasons
        2: Hunt deer and bear with gun, muzzleloader or bow (with appropriate bowhunting eligibility) during the regular season or hunt with shotgun or muzzleloader during special deer season on Long Island.

        NOTE: Those under 18 who are hunting big game for the first time as a holder of a big game license must be accompanied for the entire season by a parent or legal guardian, or a person over 18 with at least one year's experience in hunting bear or deer. The parent, guardian or person over 18 must have a current license that allows the hunting of big game.
    • Cost:
      • $19.00

  • Military Disabled

    • Age:
      • Any
    • Qualifications:
      • 1. Hunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. Previous Hunting License,
        PLUS
        40% or greater service-related military disability documented annually by letter from the Veteran's Administration.
    • Privileges:
      • All the privileges that apply to small game and big game hunting and fishing licenses.
    • Cost:
      • $5.00

  • Junior Hunting

    (must apply in person, accompanied by parent or legal guardian)

    • Age:
      • 12 - 15 Yrs.
    • Qualifications:
      • 1. Hunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. Previous Hunting License
        Plus
        Birth Certificate for 1st time applicants
    • Privileges:
      • Hunt small game species with gun or bow during appropriate seasons when accompanied* by:
        1. Ages 12-13 - Parent, legal guardian or relative over 21 with written permission from parent/guardian.
        2. Ages 14-15 - Parent, legal guardian or person over 18 with written permission from parent/guardian.
        *Accompanier must have current hunting license.
        Junior hunter does not need Federal Duck Stamp to hunt waterfowl.
    • Cost:
      • $5.00

  • Junior Archery

    • Age:
      • 14-15 Years
    • Qualifications:
      • 1. Hunter Ed Certificate, OR
        2. Previous Hunting License
        PLUS
        1. Bowhunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. Previous Jr. Archery License
        PLUS
        Birth Certificate for 1st time applicants
    • Privileges:
      • Hunt deer and bear with bow during the special archery season or the regular season, accompanied by parent or an adult over 18 with written permission from parent/legal guardian. Accompanier must have current bowhunting privileges and one year's experience.
    • Cost:
      • $9.00

  • Bow Season Privilege

    (Must also have valid big game license.)

    • Age:
      • 16-69 Years
    • Qualifications:
      • Current Year Sportsman OR
        Big Game License,
        PLUS
        1. Acceptable Bowhunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. NYS Bowhunting Stamp issued in 1980 or later, OR
        3. NYS Jr. Archery License issued in 1980 or later
    • Privileges:
      • Hunt deer and bear with bow only during special archery seasons.

        NOTE: Residents hunting bear or deer with a bow during the regular season must possess both a valid big game license and either a current bowhunting stamp or a valid bowhunter education certificate. This includes Westchester and Suffolk Counties.
    • Cost:
      • $16.00

  • FREE Bowhunting

    • Age:
      • 70+ Years OR 40% + Military Disabled
    • Qualifications:
      • Current Year Sportsman OR Big Game License,
        PLUS
        1. Acceptable Bowhunter Ed. Certificate, OR
        2. NYS Bowhunting Stamp issued in 1980 or later, OR
        3. NYS Jr. Archery License issued in 1980 or later
    • Privileges:
      • Same as Bow Season License
    • Cost:
      • Free

  • Muzzleloading Season Privilege

    (Must also have valid big game license.)

    • Age:
      • 16-69 Years
    • Qualifications:
      • Current Year Sportsman,OR
        Big Game License
    • Privileges:
      • Hunt deer and bear with a muzzleloading firearm only during special muzzleloading seasons.
    • Cost:
      • $16.00

  • FREE Muzzleloading

    (Must also have valid big game license.)

    • Age:
      • 70+ Years OR 40%+ Military Disabled
    • Qualifications:
      • Current Year Sportsman OR
        Big Game License.
    • Privileges:
      • Same as Muzzleloading License.
    • Cost:
      • Free

  • Deer Management Permit

    (Must also have valid big game license. Application deadline is October 1.)

    • Age:
      • 14 Years and older
    • Qualifications:
      • A Current Year
        Resident Big Game, OR
        Resident Sportsman,OR
        Resident Super Sportsman, OR
        Conservation Legacy, OR
        Junior Archery, OR
        Senior or Military Disabled
    • Privileges:
      • Hunt antlerless deer only (both antlers less than 3" long) in a specified Wildlife Management Unit during all Southern Zone seasons, during the Northern Zone regular season, in WMUs 6A, 6G, 6H and 6K, during the Northern Zone late muzzleloading season in WMUs 6A, 6G and 6H, and during Suffolk County's special post season hunt.
    • Cost:
      • $10 for Resident Small and Big Game License holders. (FREE to holders of current year Resident Sportsman, Super Sportsman, Conservation Legacy, Senior or Military Disabled, OR Junior Archery Licenses.)

  • Resident Turkey Permit

    • Age:
      • 12+ Years
    • Qualifications:
      • Junior Hunting License, (ages 12-15) OR
        Resident Sportsman or Small Game License (ages 16+)
    • Privileges:
      • Hunt wild turkey during the fall and spring seasons.

        For season and bag limit information see the Turkey Season map.
    • Cost:
      • $5.00 - included with Super Sportsman and Lifetime Sportsman Licenses

  • Habitat and Access Stamp

    • Age:
      • Any
    • Qualifications:
      • None
    • Privileges:
      • Revenue from the sale of this voluntary stamp will go into a dedicated account within the Conservation Fund and can only be used for projects to protect and improve habitat and to provide public access for fish and wildlife related recreation.
    • Cost:
      • $5.00

  • Conservation Patron

    • Age:
      • Any
    • Qualifications:
      • None
    • Privileges:
      • Package includes a habitat and access stamp and subscription to The Conservationist
    • Cost:
      • $12.00

  • Federal Duck Stamp

    • Age:
      • 16+ Years
    • Qualifications:
      • NYS Small Game or Sportsman License.
    • Privileges:
      • Hunt migratory waterfowl. It is not needed for gallinules, coots, crows, rails, woodcock or snipe.

        All migratory game bird hunters must register annually with the Harvest Information Program by calling toll free 1-866-GAME RPT (1-866-426-3778)
    • Cost:
      • $15.00

  • Falconry License

    • Privileges:
      • A Falconry License is required to hunt small game with trained raptors. Information on obtaining a Falconry License is available by writing the

        NYSDEC, Special Licenses Unit
        625 Broadway
        Albany, NY 12233-4752. (518-402-8985)



  • Page applies to all NYS regions
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  • For assistance with PDFs on this page, please call 518-402-8845.
  • Contact for this Page:
  • NYSDEC
    Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources
    625 Broadway
    Albany, NY 12233-4750
    518-402-8845
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