Have Your Voice Heard-NYDEC Proposing New Hunting Regulations

Changes may be coming to deer hunting regulations in New York State. You have a say. Here's how to voice your ideas and comments.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing updates to deer hunting regulations, and public comment is open through August 17th.

One proposal would introduce electronic tags for deer, bear, and turkey. Hunters would report their harvest using the HuntFishNY app instead of attaching a paper tag. The app works without cell service and sends the report once reconnected. A physical tag would still be needed if the animal is left unattended or taken to a processor or taxidermist.

Paper tags would still be available, but the reporting deadline would change from seven days to 48 hours. Harvests could also be reported by phone.

Another change would allow some youth hunters to get a replacement deer tag for the regular season.

If a youth fills a tag during the Youth Deer Hunt and does not have a Deer Management Permit, they could receive a second tag for the opposite sex deer. So, if they take an antlered deer during the youth hunt, they could use the replacement tag on an antlerless deer later.

The third proposal involves the Deer Management Assistance Program. DEC wants to move the permit renewal cycle from three to five years. This would help landowners manage deer populations more consistently while reducing paperwork.

The proposal would also remove the limit of four tags per hunter under the program. Instead, DEC staff would decide tag numbers based on the size of the property and its needs.

Details and comment info are on the DEC website.