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Hunting Licenses

Hunter Safety Education Requirement

All first-time hunters must pass one or more courses before they can get a hunting license in New York. Visit the Hunter Education page to learn more and find a free course near you.

Purchase Your Hunting License/Privilege/Permit

  • At a License Issuing Agent Location
  • Online or by Phone
    **IMPORTANT: When making an online/phone purchase, you must wait 14 business days to receive your license/tags by mail before going hunting. To get licenses/tags instantly, visit a license issuing agent location.

NOTE: Transactions that cannot be made via the links above: Permits for hunters with disability, the Harvest Information Program, Migratory Duck Stamp, and some reduced fee/free licenses require a separate application system or process. Please follow the links provided on this page for details on how to apply to these permits, stamps or licenses.

License Types & Fees

Annual Hunting License (View residency qualifications)
With this license you can hunt big game and small game.
***This license is required before other privileges (i.e. bowhunting, muzzleloading & turkey permit) can be purchased.***

Resident Fee Nonresident Fee
$22 (ages 16-69)
$5 (ages 70+)
$5 (ages 12-15)
$100 (ages 16+)
$5 (ages 12-15)

(Note: It is not necessary to purchase a separate bear tag when buying a hunting license.
Small game and big game hunting is now included in the annual hunting license for both
residents and nonresidents.)

Additional Annual Hunting Privileges/Permit/Stamps (View residency qualifications)
An annual hunting license (above) must be purchased before purchasing the following privileges/stamps.

Type Resident Fee Nonresident Fee Needed For
Bowhunting Privilege $15 (ages 16-69)
No fee (ages 70+)
$4 (ages 12-15)
$30 (ages 16+)
$4 (ages 12-15)
To know when you need
a privilege, permit or
stamp, visit the
Hunting Licenses/Privileges
Needed
page.
Muzzleloading Privilege $15 (ages 14-69)
No fee (ages 70+)
$30 (ages 14+)
Turkey Permit $10 (ages 12+) $20 (ages 12+)
Harvest Information Program No fee (ages 12+) No fee
(must register in New
York even if registered
in another state
)
Federal Duck Stamp
(link leaves DEC website)
$25 (ages 16+)
Deer Management Permit $10 (ages 16+)
No fee (ages 12-15)
No fee (holders of lifetime sportsman
licenses purchased prior to
October 1, 2009)
Harvesting antlerless
deer (antlers less than 3" long)
in select Wildlife Management Units.
Permits for Hunter's with Disability No fee Using specialized equipment
to aid in discharging a
bow, or to discharge a
firearm from a motorized vehicle.

Valid Dates of Annual Licenses/Privileges

  • Annual hunting licenses and privileges are valid from September 1 through August 31 each year.
  • The Harvest Information Program and Federal Duck Stamp is valid July 1 through June 30 annually.

Free/Reduced Fee & Lifetime Licenses

Who Needs a Hunting License

You need a hunting license if you are:

  • 12 years and older and using a firearm or bow to hunt or take wild game. Persons under age 12 cannot hunt.
    • Junior Hunters (12-15): review regulations and information for junior hunters, ages 12-15.
    • Additional Privileges/Permits: depending on the season and species you are hunting you may need additional privileges or permits. These are listed in the table above.

You do not need a hunting license if you are:

  • A resident landowner primarily engaged in farming (including lessees and members of their immediate families) when small game hunting on farm lands they are occupying and cultivating.
  • A Native American living and hunting on reservation land.
  • Hunting on a licensed shooting preserve or big game shooting facility..

Note: To hunt turkey, all hunters must purchase a turkey permit. There are no exceptions.

General License Information

Other Helpful Links/Resources

More on hunting in New York State


More about Hunting Licenses:

  • Harvest Information Program - New York State Harvest Information Program (HIP) is a legal requirement. Any person who hunts migratory game birds (this includes Woodcock) must have proof of participation whenever he or she goes afield.
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  • For help with PDFs on this page, please call 518-402-8845.
  • Contact for this Page
  • NYSDEC Fish and Wildlife
    625 Broadway
    Albany, NY 12233-4750
    518-402-8845
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