ALBANY — The 2026-2027 Hunting & Trapping licenses are officially on sale now for the license year September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027.  This marks the start of another season that many in our community look forward to all year long.  You can still stop in person to your local agents & Town offices to get them or go online the DEC website. Both options remain easy and accessible.  Regulation guides are available at the local agents and town offices and on the DEC website at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/hunting-trapping-regulations.  You can obtain your license online. 

There are several changes to the deer tags issued with licenses and privileges. Please review them. One notable change: hunters can earn a second antlered deer tag by reporting the harvest of an antlerless deer. Once reported, that second tag will automatically appear in the hunter’s profile, show up in the HuntFishNY app, and be emailed to them—provided their profile includes a valid email address.

Lifetime license holders who receive their tags by mail should expect them no later than September 1st. And for those planning ahead, you do not need to have the new year’s license in hand to apply for a DMP or purchase additional license items.

When applying for DMP- Deer Management Permits hunters can apply for 2 instant/limited DMPs as well as 2 bonus/unlimited DMPs.  

Instant/limited DMPs are subject to the odds of 2026-2027 Chances of Selection chart.  The Bonus/unlimited DMP choices are set to a 100% chance of selection.  Preference points are not affected by receiving Bonus/Unlimited DMP. Instant lottery for DMP permits is available from August 3 through close of business day October 1, 2026.