For Release: Thursday, August 25, 2005
DEC Announces Availability of Internet Sporting License Sales
2005-06 Licenses, DMPs Can Be Obtained On DEC's Website
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced that 2005-06 hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) 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 today.
"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 existing DECALS customers 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."
All existing DECALS customers can go to http://www.nywildlife.com/ or http://www.dec.state.ny.us/ and purchase their hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, Deer Management Permits, Habitat Stamps, and The 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.
Sporting license applications can also be mailed, with applications available by calling 1-866-472-4332 or on DEC's website. Licenses can be obtained in person from one of more than 1,600 license sales agents located across the State. These include most town, county and city clerks and many sporting goods stores. If the applicant has previously purchased a license through DECALS, they can also purchase licenses by phone by calling 1-866-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257). Hours of operation for the call center are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Applicants should have the following items ready: their Customer ID number, which can be found on their previous year's license; complete name and address information; proof of residency information (driver's license number or non-driver's ID number to qualify for a resident license); and credit card number and card expiration date. Hunting license purchases require individuals to previously have hunter education proof recorded with DECALS.
Deer Management Permits (DMPs), for antlerless deer only, will also be available via the internet to all eligible big game hunters. Hunters applying for a DMP before midnight October 1, 2005 will be entered into an instant draw and will receive immediate notification of the DMP instant draw results. DMP selection chances are determined in each Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) and are based upon the application history for each WMU and the number of DMPs the DEC must issue to effectively manage the deer herd in the WMU. An applicant's chances of selection are also affected 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, and are available on DEC's website. Chances of getting a DMP remain the same throughout the application period from August 15 through October 1, 2005, so hunters do not need to rush to apply for a DMP.
All customers can apply for DMPs until the close of business on October 1. Internet customers can apply for the DMP instant draw until midnight October 1. Leftover DMP sales will commence on November 1, 2005, on a first-come/first-served basis, but applications for these permits can only be made in person at one of our 1,600 points of sale, and not via the internet, phone or by mail.
If you have questions or experience any difficulty with a license sale made by any method, please call 1-866-472-4332 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Operators will be available to provide assistance with expanded hours of operation available during peak sales periods.
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