NEW YORK STATE (WETM) -- Hunters can now buy their New York State hunting and trapping licenses for the 2024-2025 season.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced on Tuesday that hunting licenses, trapping licenses, and deer management permits are now on sale. The licenses are valid from Sept. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2025.

This hunting season is the first time sporting licenses and tags will be printed on plain paper instead of plastic stock. This means that hunters who purchase their licenses online or over the phone can print them at home instead of waiting for them to come in the mail. Sporting licenses will still be available for purchase in person through DEC-authorized vendors, and lifetime license holders will get their licenses and tags in the mail by Sept. 1.

"DEC continues to modernize the sporting license system and improve the license-buying experience for the public," said Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar. "The ability for people to receive their license electronically and print tags at home will make it quicker and easier to get outdoors and connect with nature through hunting and fishing." 

This hunting season will also be the first time hunters in New York won't have to wear back tags while afield. They're still, however, required to carry proof of licensure in the field, and this can either be a physical paper license or an electronic copy through the HuntFishNY app.

People printing their own licenses and tags need to make sure they are printed on separate pieces of paper because hunters are still required to physically tag their animals. The DEC recommends that hunters who are worried about tags getting wet or ruined can place their tags in a reusable plastic tag/ID holder or a plastic sandwich bag after filling them out.

More information about New York State's 2024-2025 hunting season is available on the DEC's website.