08-13-2004, 05:01 AM
2004-05 Sporting Licenses Available Starting August 16
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today announced that 2004-05 hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may be purchased beginning August 16, 2004. Licenses and permits can be purchased at one of DEC's 1,600 license sales outlets statewide. They can also be ordered by mail and by phone. All sporting licenses are valid beginning October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005.
"New York State is committed to helping provide outdoor enthusiasts with numerous recreational opportunities to enjoy the beauty of our state throughout the year," Commissioner Crotty said. "As DEC kicks off another license year, we will continue to help meet the needs of sportsmen and sportswomen by making improvements to better serve the public and protect our natural resources."
The Department of Environmental Conservation Automated Licensing System (DECALS) is New York State's program for issuing sporting licenses and is also used to track sales and revenues. Since last year, DEC has improved sporting license and carcass tag sets to make them easier to distinguish from preceding years. The year designation on the tags now matches the license year 04-05 for 2004-05.
Beginning August 16, 2004, individuals will be able to purchase 2004-05 licenses and permits through DECALS at all license issuing outlets across the State, including during the 2004 New York State Fair in Syracuse. License applications can also be mailed in, with applications available for download from DEC's website [url "http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/decals.html"]www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/decals.html[/url] or by calling 1-866-472-4332. If the applicant has previously purchased a license through DECALS, they can also purchase licenses by phone by calling 1-866-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257). Hours of operation for the call center are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Applicants should have the following items ready: complete name and address information; proof of residency information (driver's license number or non-driver's ID number to qualify for a resident license); and, if purchasing by phone, credit card and card expiration date. Hunting license purchases require individuals to show proof of hunting education certification or a copy of last year's license, or this information must already be contained in their DECALS file.
Deer Management Permits (DMPs), for antlerless deer only, will be available at all license issuing outlets, by phone and by mail, from August 16, 2004 through close of business October 1, 2004. DMPs are issued by an instant lottery selection process at the point of sale, so customers who are selected for DMPs will receive their permits immediately. The probabilities for DMP selection in each Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) are determined by the number of applications expected for each WMU and the number of DMPs the DEC must issue to effectively manage the deer herd. An applicant's chances of selection are also effected by the customer's residency, number of preference points, land ownership, or disabled veteran's status. Chances of selection in each WMU are listed in this year's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, available at License Issuing Agent locations, and are available at [url "http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/dmpchances.html"]www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/dmpchances.html[/url] on DEC's website. Chances of getting a DMP remain the same throughout the application period from August 16 to October 1, so hunters don't need to rush to apply for a DMP on the first day of sale.
If a significant number of DMPs are still available in a WMU after October 1, 2004, leftover DMP sales will commence on November 1, 2004, and will continue on a first-come/first-served basis until the end of the hunting season or until all DMPs have been issued in the WMU.
DEC plans to issue approximately 550,000 deer management permits this year, which is somewhat lower than last year's objective. Deer populations are still generally high in New York, with approximately one million deer inhabiting the State. Current management prescriptions are intended to achieve the optimum deer populations for all New Yorkers. This requires population reductions in some areas, population stabilization in others and increases elsewhere. Lower DMP targets for 2004 are generally the results of deer populations more closely approaching management objectives and the lingering effects of the winter of 2002-03.
The Game Harvest Telephone Reporting System has undergone major revisions since last fall, including increased phone lines and improved reporting software, to greatly facilitate reporting this year.
DEC encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp when they purchase their license. The Habitat/Access Stamp is an optional stamp that is available to people who want to support the DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife related recreation. This year's stamp features a line drawing of a beaver, the New York State mammal. Buying a $5.00 habitat stamp is the perfect way for young or old, angler or hunter, birder or photographer to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage. If you purchase a Habitat/Access stamp at the New York State Fair you will also receive a beautiful Habitat/Access lapel pin while supplies last. More information is available on DEC's website at: [url "http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/habstamp.html"]www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/habstamp.html[/url]
[signature]
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today announced that 2004-05 hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may be purchased beginning August 16, 2004. Licenses and permits can be purchased at one of DEC's 1,600 license sales outlets statewide. They can also be ordered by mail and by phone. All sporting licenses are valid beginning October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005.
"New York State is committed to helping provide outdoor enthusiasts with numerous recreational opportunities to enjoy the beauty of our state throughout the year," Commissioner Crotty said. "As DEC kicks off another license year, we will continue to help meet the needs of sportsmen and sportswomen by making improvements to better serve the public and protect our natural resources."
The Department of Environmental Conservation Automated Licensing System (DECALS) is New York State's program for issuing sporting licenses and is also used to track sales and revenues. Since last year, DEC has improved sporting license and carcass tag sets to make them easier to distinguish from preceding years. The year designation on the tags now matches the license year 04-05 for 2004-05.
Beginning August 16, 2004, individuals will be able to purchase 2004-05 licenses and permits through DECALS at all license issuing outlets across the State, including during the 2004 New York State Fair in Syracuse. License applications can also be mailed in, with applications available for download from DEC's website [url "http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/decals.html"]www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/decals.html[/url] or by calling 1-866-472-4332. If the applicant has previously purchased a license through DECALS, they can also purchase licenses by phone by calling 1-866-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257). Hours of operation for the call center are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Applicants should have the following items ready: complete name and address information; proof of residency information (driver's license number or non-driver's ID number to qualify for a resident license); and, if purchasing by phone, credit card and card expiration date. Hunting license purchases require individuals to show proof of hunting education certification or a copy of last year's license, or this information must already be contained in their DECALS file.
Deer Management Permits (DMPs), for antlerless deer only, will be available at all license issuing outlets, by phone and by mail, from August 16, 2004 through close of business October 1, 2004. DMPs are issued by an instant lottery selection process at the point of sale, so customers who are selected for DMPs will receive their permits immediately. The probabilities for DMP selection in each Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) are determined by the number of applications expected for each WMU and the number of DMPs the DEC must issue to effectively manage the deer herd. An applicant's chances of selection are also effected by the customer's residency, number of preference points, land ownership, or disabled veteran's status. Chances of selection in each WMU are listed in this year's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, available at License Issuing Agent locations, and are available at [url "http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/dmpchances.html"]www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/dmpchances.html[/url] on DEC's website. Chances of getting a DMP remain the same throughout the application period from August 16 to October 1, so hunters don't need to rush to apply for a DMP on the first day of sale.
If a significant number of DMPs are still available in a WMU after October 1, 2004, leftover DMP sales will commence on November 1, 2004, and will continue on a first-come/first-served basis until the end of the hunting season or until all DMPs have been issued in the WMU.
DEC plans to issue approximately 550,000 deer management permits this year, which is somewhat lower than last year's objective. Deer populations are still generally high in New York, with approximately one million deer inhabiting the State. Current management prescriptions are intended to achieve the optimum deer populations for all New Yorkers. This requires population reductions in some areas, population stabilization in others and increases elsewhere. Lower DMP targets for 2004 are generally the results of deer populations more closely approaching management objectives and the lingering effects of the winter of 2002-03.
The Game Harvest Telephone Reporting System has undergone major revisions since last fall, including increased phone lines and improved reporting software, to greatly facilitate reporting this year.
DEC encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp when they purchase their license. The Habitat/Access Stamp is an optional stamp that is available to people who want to support the DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife related recreation. This year's stamp features a line drawing of a beaver, the New York State mammal. Buying a $5.00 habitat stamp is the perfect way for young or old, angler or hunter, birder or photographer to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage. If you purchase a Habitat/Access stamp at the New York State Fair you will also receive a beautiful Habitat/Access lapel pin while supplies last. More information is available on DEC's website at: [url "http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/habstamp.html"]www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/habstamp.html[/url]
[signature]