New York State hunters will see several changes this season aimed at streamlining tag use and reporting, as well as expanding opportunities for youth hunters, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced.
Electronic Tagging and Reporting
Hunters can now use DEC’s HuntFishNY mobile app for electronic licenses and tags instead of paper versions. Electronic tags, or e-tags, allow hunters to immediately report deer, bear, or turkey harvests—even without cell service. Physical tags are no longer required to remain on the carcass while in the hunter’s possession, including in a vehicle or at home. If a carcass is left elsewhere, such as at a processor or taxidermist, a tag with the hunter’s information and reporting confirmation must be attached.
Paper tag users must now report their harvest within 48 hours, down from seven days, to encourage prompt reporting and improve enforcement oversight.
New Youth Hunter Opportunity
Youth hunters ages 12–15 can now earn a bonus regular season tag if they successfully harvest a deer during the Youth Big Game Hunt weekend and do not have a Deer Management Permit (DMP). The bonus tag will allow harvest of a deer of the opposite sex from their youth hunt kill (e.g., antlerless if they took an antlered deer) and will be mailed directly to eligible hunters.
Deer Management Assistance Program Enhancements
The DEC has extended DMAP permit renewals from three to five years and removed limits on the number of DMAP tags a hunter may use per property. While the total number of tags per property will still depend on land size and management needs, these changes give landowners more flexibility in using DMAP to meet land management objectives.
Crossbow Use Expanded
For fall 2025, hunters may use a crossbow in the same seasons, locations, and manner as a vertical bow for deer and bear hunting.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Hunting is an affordable, accessible, and valued tradition for many New Yorkers and a critically important conservation measure. These updates improve hunter experience and reporting, while providing new opportunities for youth and landowners alike.”
Full details on the regulations and public comments are available on the DEC website.
