HUNTING LICENSES

   HUNTING LICENSE FEES

• To qualify for a hunting license, applicant must have a Hunter's Education Certificate or a valid previous Hunting License.

Note:  Pricing for the 2008-2009Season

LICENSE TYPE	AGE	FEE
Small Game	16 - 64 yrs.	$ 16
Small & Big Game	16 - 64 yrs.	$ 19
Sportsman (Small & big game, fishing)	16 - 64 yrs.	$ 37
Super Sportsman (Small & big game, fishing, bowhunting, muzzleloading, and turkey permit)	16 - 64 yrs.	$ 68
Conservation Legacy (Small & big game, fishing bowhunting, muzzleloading, turkey permit, habitat stamp & Conservationist magazine)	16 - 69 yrs.	$ 76
Senior Sportsman	65+ yrs.	$  5
Military Disabled	Any Age	$  5
Bowhunting	16 - 69 yrs.	$ 16
Muzzleloading	16 - 69 yrs.	$ 16
Trapping	16 - 69 yrs.	$ 16
Resident Turkey	16+ yrs.	$  5
Free Bowhunting	70+ yrs./ Military disabled	Free
Free Muzzleloading	70+ yrs./ Military disabled	Free
Free Trapping	70+ yrs./ Military disabled	Free
Junior Small Game	12 - 15 yrs.	$  5
Junior Archery	14 - 15 yrs.	$  9
Junior Trapping	14 - 15 yrs.	$  6
Non-Resident Hunting Small Game	16+ yrs.	$ 55
Non-Resident Big Game (Deer Only)	16+ yrs.	$ 110
Non-Resident Super Sportsman (Small & big game, fishing, bowhunting, muzzlehunting, and turkey permit)	16+ yrs.	$ 250
Non-Resident Bowhunting	16+ yrs.	$ 110
Non-Resident Muzzleloading	16+ yrs.	$ 110
Non-Resident Bear Tag	16+ yrs.	$ 30
Non-Resident Turkey Permit	12+ yrs.	$ 30
Non-Resident Trapping	12+ yrs.	$ 255

View Fishing Regulations

Junior Hunting and Junior Archery applicants must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. A Birth Certificate is required for 1st time applicants.

Junior Archers must have Hunter's Education Certificate or a previous Hunting License plus a Bowhunter's Education Certificate or previous Junior Archery License.

Junior Hunting applicants must have a Hunter's Education Certificate or previous Junior Hunting License.

Applicants under the age of 18 years who are hunting Big Game for the first time as a holder of a Big Game License, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or person over 18 with at least one years experience in hunting deer or bear. The parent, guardian or person over 18 must have a current license that allows the hunting of big game.

Senior Citizens age 65 and older become eligible for a reduced license fee of $5.00. All other privileges (bowhunting/muzzleloading/trapping) cost full price. At age 70, with the purchase of a Senior Sportsman, these privileges are free, but still require proof of training. The DEC also offers a senior lifetime fishing license at a reduced cost of $50.00.

To qualify for Military Disabled, the applicant must have 40% or greater service-related military disability documented annually by a letter from the Veteran's Administration. The letter is to be attached to the Town Clerk's copy of the Hunting License.

   2008 HUNTER, ARCHERY, TRAPPER and WATERFOWL TRAINING CLASSES

A mandatory hunter education course is required for persons who cannot provide proof that they have ever possessed a hunting license.  The general course is a minimum 10 hours in length.

All new hunters, bow hunters and trappers must pass the appropriate course before getting their first license. Students must attend all sessions, demonstrate proper attitude and safety, and pass the test. A hunter education course is required for all new hunters applying for a license. To hunt big game with bow and arrow, a special bow hunting course is required in addition to the basic hunter education course. A trapping course is required for all new trappers. For most people, a license is required, even to hunt woodchucks and other "varmints" with no closed seasons.

All courses are free. New York's Sportsman Education Programs are supported in part by Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration, funded by your purchases of hunting equipment. Additional funding comes from sales of hunting and trapping licenses. Hunters and trappers pay for Sportsman Education and wildlife conservation.

Click following links to view 2008 Training Schedules

• Erie County Schedule of Dates for Hunter Training Classes   You will need Adobe's Acrobat® Reader to view and print the Hunter Training Schedule in PDF format.

• Erie County Schedule of Dates for Archery, Trapping, & Waterfowl Training Classes   You will need Adobe's Acrobat® Reader to view and print the Archery Training Schedule in PDF format.

Press here to download Adobe Acrobat® Reader free from Adobe's web site

 

   2008 BIG GAME SEASON SCHEDULE

White Tail Deer
Southern Zone

To Be Announced

 

   GENERAL HUNTING LICENSE INFORMATION

Computerized Conservation Licensing

The Department of Environment Conservation (DEC) is selling licenses, issuing Deer Management Permits (DMP) and reporting game harvest information through DECALS, DEC Automated Licensing System.

DECALS will provide sportspersons with a more convenient way to obtain licenses and permits. It will also provide issuing agents and the DEC with a more efficient system for gathering and maintaining information on hunting and trapping license buyers and license sales. In addition, the new automated reporting system will allow the DEC to tabulate and analyze game harvest more quickly and economically than ever before.

 

Mandatory Hunter Education

A hunter education course is required for persons who cannot provide proof that they have ever possessed a hunting license. The general course is a minimum of ten (10) hours in length. The listing for 2007 Sportsmen Education Classes is available in the Town Clerk's Office. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) honors hunter education certificates and sporting licenses from all other states and countries.

 

Mandatory Bowhunter Education

Hunters wishing to bowhunt must take an additional eight (8) hour minimum bowhunter education course. The DEC also honors bowhunter education certificates issued by:

• The National Field Archery Association or National Bowhunter Education Foundation or International Bowhunter Education Program issued in 1974 or later in any state or country;

• any state or provincial fish and wildlife agency (Certificate or card must specify the course was for bowhunting and not a general hunting Course with a bowhunting segment);

• the Ontario Bowhunters Association (on green or brown letterhead stationery with moosehead bow-and-arrow emblem until July 31, 1987);

• or the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (on letterhead after August 1, 1987).

 

Residency

To qualify for a resident license, a person must live in New York State for more that thirty days immediately prior to the date of application. Land ownership in New York does not make a person 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 the age of 18, the residence of parents or legal guardian shell be deemed such person's residence.

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

 

Minimum Hunting Age

Minors under the age of twelve (12) may not obtain a hunting license or hunt wildlife.

 

Deer Management Permits

Deer Management Permits (DMP) are issued by a random computer drawing and the hunter will know immediately whether successful in obtaining a permit. Although some hunters may not be selected for permits at the point of sale, there will be an opportunity to purchase leftover in a "clearance sale" later on. The $10.00 application fee for a Deer Management Permit is waived when purchasing a Sportsman, Super Sportsman, or Conservation Legacy license. A $10.00 DMP fee will be required if the hunter is only purchasing a Small & Big Game license.

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.  Each year, you must bring your tax map identification number and SWIS code (found on your tax bill) with you when you apply.  Lessees do not qualify as landowners.  A spouce of a landowner may apply for a DMP, but both husband and wife may not apply as landowners for the same parcel of land.

 

Back Tags

Tags must be visibly displayed on the middle of the back while hunting, except in the Northern Zone and Catskill Park.

 

Harvest Information Program (HIP)

As of September 1, 1998, anyone who hunts migratory game birds in New York State must register by calling 1-888-4-ASK HIP. Hunters will be asked for information about themselves and the birds they plan on hunting. A confirmation number will be given and must be written on the back of the hunting license. This serves as proof of HIP registration and failure to carry this proof afield is a violation equal to hunting without a license.

 

License Responsibilities

A license, permit, or tag is not transferable and may be used by the person to whom it was issued.

It is illegal to possess another person's license or permit while hunting (unless accompanied by the person to whom issued).

A license to hunt, trap, or fish does not give the license holder any right to go on private property without the permission of the land owner.

It is illegal to refuse to show your license on demand to a law enforcement officer or the owner, lessee or person in control of the lands (or their designees) while on their property.

Make sure that your license has all the correct information. Carefully check it immediately after the license is purchased. If you discover an error, have it corrected as soon as possible. Errors render a hunting or fishing license invalid.

 

 

Need more information?

Stop by the Town Clerk's office to pick up the current Hunting & Trapping Regulation Guide or visit the DEC's website at: www.dec.ny.gov.

 

 

   LIFETIME SPORTING LICENSES

The following licenses are available to New York State residents.

 

Lifetime resident combined hunting, fishing, and big game if purchased:
For child four years or younger	$ 300
For child five through eleven years old	$ 420
For person age twelve and over	$ 600
For person age sixty-five and over	$  50
Lifetime Small and Big Game hunting license	$ 350
Lifetime resident fishing license	$ 350
Lifetime resident trapping license	$ 300
Lifetime resident bowhunting license	$ 180
Lifetime resident muzzleloading license	$ 180

Lifetime Sporting Licenses are sold at:

West Seneca Town Clerk's Office

Most New York City, Town or Village Clerk's Offices

Most Sporting Goods Stores

Larger Department stores such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart

NYS DEC License Sales Office
50 Wolf Road, Room 151
Albany, New York 12233-4790
Phone: (518) 457-3521

 

Need information on waterfowl?

Click here for more information