In New York, due to state regulations and hunting laws, hunters aged 12 and older (unless they can provide proof of a prior license) are required to complete hunter education before purchasing a hunting license.
Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a New York hunting license:
- Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course and obtain a state-issued Hunter Education Card
- Step 2: Select your license type
- Step 3: Buy your New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) license through an online purchase or in-person through a licensed agent.
NY Hunter Education Certification
How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)
You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in New York.
- Complete an in-person course through the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Do not wait until just before the hunting season to take a course. In-person courses fill quickly, so it is important to sign up early. These courses are a minimum of 7 hours in length.
- An online course through a New York Department of Environmental Conservation exclusive partner for those 11 & older. These courses require you to read through the content, as well as watch some videos.
- Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation website states that "New York State accepts Hunter Education Certificates from other states when purchasing a New York hunting license."
What makes our course the best?
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.
We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online with our IHEA approved course. Your TPWD issued permanent hunter education certificate (card) can be used to purchase your hunting license in all 50 US States, Mexico and Canada (including in New York).
After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.
We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including New York), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
Select Your New York Hunting License
New York offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences.
Additional permits may be required to hunt specific game species.
New York residents age 70 or older are eligible for reduced-fee licenses.
Below is an overview of the primary license types available:
Resident Licenses
A resident is a person who has lived in New York for 30 days or more. Active-duty military members stationed in New York and non-resident full-time students who live in New York and attend a college or university in New York are considered residents.
New York residents age 12 or older must have a resident hunting license.
Various lifetime licenses are available to residents.
- Annual Hunting License • Required if you’re 12 years or older using a firearm or bow to hunt wild game; under-12 cannot hunt.
• Includes big game & small game—no separate bear tag needed. - Additional Privileges (must buy Annual License first)
• Bowhunting Privilege
• Muzzleloading Privilege
• Turkey Permit
• Harvest Information Program
• Federal Duck Stamp
• Deer Management Permit
• Disability Permits
Non-Resident Licenses
All non-residents age 12 or older must have a non-resident hunting license.
- Annual Hunting License • Required if you’re 12 years or older using a firearm or bow in NY.
- Additional Privileges • Bowhunting Privilege
• Muzzleloading Privilege
• Turkey Permit
• Harvest Information Program
• Federal Duck Stamp
• Deer Management Permit – $1
• Disability Permits
Youth Licenses & Requirements
- Ages 12–15: • Purchase the Annual Hunting License
• May hunt big game only under adult supervision (see Junior Hunter Mentoring Program). - Under 12: • No hunting license required but must be under direct supervision of a licensed adult.
Required Endorsements & Tags
- Bowhunting Privilege
- Muzzleloading Privilege
- Turkey Permit
- Harvest Information Program (HIP) – required for migratory game birds
- Federal Duck Stamp – required for waterfowl
- Deer Management Permit – for antlerless deer in certain units
- Disability Equipment Permits – e.g., crossbow for disabled hunters
Hunting licenses, which must adhere to specific regulations, are good from Sept 1–Aug 31. of the following year. Residents are able to buy a lifetime hunting license.
Where to buy your NY Hunting License
To hunt in New York, you can purchase your license either online through the DECALS Online Licensing System or in person through a licensed agent. A complete directory of license-issuing agents is available on the DEC License Issuing Agents page.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in New York:
- Bass Pro Shops – Auburn, NY Address: 1579 Clark Street Rd, Auburn, NY 13021 Phone: (315) 258-2700
- Walmart Supercenter – Albany, NY Address: 141 Washington Ave Ext, Albany, NY 12205 Phone: (518) 869-4694
- Fish307 – Lake George, NY Address: 814 Goggins Rd, Lake George, NY 12845 Phone: (518) 798-9203
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation – Albany, NY Address: 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233 Phone: (518) 402-8044
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?
Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.
How much does a New York State Hunter Safety course cost?
$29 with HunterSafetyUSA. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, all major credit cards, and signature debit cards. We also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
How do I get a hunting license in New York State?
Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a New York hunting license:
- Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course and obtain a state-issued Hunter Education Card
- Step 2: Select your license type
- Step 3: Buy your New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) license through an online purchase or in-person through a licensed agent.
Can you take the NYS hunter Safety course online?
Yes, our online hunter's education course is fully online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the fastest ways to complete your requirements.