New York · License · 2026 Edition
New York Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $22 for residents and $100 for nonresidents.
New York folds big game and small game into a single Annual Hunting License — unlike most states there is no separate deer tag or bear tag to buy; DEC's own page states plainly, "It is not necessary to purchase a separate bear tag when buying a hunting license." Bowhunting and muzzleloading are add-on privileges layered on top of that base license, not separate licenses, and a Turkey Permit is mandatory for every turkey hunter with no exceptions. The Deer Management Permit ($10) is the odd one out — it's not a tag for the base buck allowed on the annual license, it's a separate antlerless-deer permit awarded by lottery in select Wildlife Management Units, and DEC's fee table lists a single $10 figure without a resident/nonresident split, so it's listed here as applying to either. HIP registration is required but free; the $25 Federal Duck Stamp is the only migratory-bird cost DEC lists. Left out: the Lifetime Sporting License schedule (age-banded, residents only, up to $765) and the no-fee Permit for Hunters with Disabilities — both are eligibility categories rather than a price a typical buyer compares against.
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Hunting License (Resident) | $22 | Ages 16-69. Covers both big game and small game. |
| Annual Hunting License (Resident, 70+) | $5 | |
| Annual Hunting License (Resident, 12-15) | $5 | |
| Annual Hunting License (Nonresident) | $100 | Ages 16+. Covers both big game and small game. |
| Annual Hunting License (Nonresident, 12-15) | $5 |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bowhunting Privilege (Resident) | $15 | Ages 16-69; no fee ages 70+; $4 ages 12-15. Requires the base Annual Hunting License first. |
| Bowhunting Privilege (Nonresident) | $30 | Ages 16+; $4 ages 12-15. |
| Muzzleloading Privilege (Resident) | $15 | Ages 14-69; no fee ages 70+. |
| Muzzleloading Privilege (Nonresident) | $30 | Ages 14+. |
| Deer Management Permit | $10 | Lottery-issued permit for antlerless deer (antlers under 3") in select WMUs. No fee ages 12-15, no fee for lifetime sportsman license holders from before Oct. 1, 2009. |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey Permit (Resident) | $10 | Ages 12+. Mandatory to hunt turkey — no exceptions. |
| Turkey Permit (Nonresident) | $20 | Ages 12+. Mandatory to hunt turkey — no exceptions. |
04 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Ages 16+. HIP registration is also required and is free for both residents and nonresidents. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. New York duck season dates →
05 — Hunter education
New York requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. All first-time hunters must pass a hunter education course before DEC will issue a license — no birth-year cutoff, it's strictly first-license-ever. Proof of a prior license or the education certificate is required at purchase.
New York hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through DECALS (DEC Automated Licensing System), the state's official portal.
DECALS (DEC Automated Licensing System) →
Where to hunt public land in New York — WMAs by county & access rules →
Annual hunting licenses and privileges run September 1 through August 31 (per NYSDEC). The Harvest Information Program registration and Federal Duck Stamp instead run July 1 through June 30.
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in New York without a license?
New York resident owners, lessees, and their immediate family — while actually occupying and farming that land — may hunt it without a license. Deer and bear are explicitly excluded.
How much is a hunting license in New York?
A resident annual New York hunting license costs $22, and the nonresident annual license costs $100. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and were read from their own license document on Aug 13, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in New York?
$100 for the annual nonresident license. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in New York?
Bowhunting Privilege (Resident) — $15. Bowhunting Privilege (Nonresident) — $30. Muzzleloading Privilege (Resident) — $15. Muzzleloading Privilege (Nonresident) — $30. Deer Management Permit — $10. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in New York?
New York requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses are sold through DECALS (DEC Automated Licensing System), the state's official portal. Annual hunting licenses and privileges run September 1 through August 31 (per NYSDEC). The Harvest Information Program registration and Federal Duck Stamp instead run July 1 through June 30.
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy a New York hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time buyers. All first-time hunters must pass a hunter education course before DEC will issue a license — no birth-year cutoff, it's strictly first-license-ever. Proof of a prior license or the education certificate is required at purchase.
Verified · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation · Last verified 2026-08-13
Publisher's note. Prices read from the NYSDEC license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-13. Review due 2027-07-15. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.