Jul 3, 2025
New deer hunting rule change proposals will revise reporting requirements for E-tag license holders, youth, and DMAP permit holders. Photo by James Monteleone
The DEC recently proposed several hunting regulation changes to streamline the use and reporting of hunting tags and provide new deer hunting opportunities. The proposed regulation changes consist of three components: the use of electronic hunting tags, which will require quicker harvest reporting times; enhancements for youth deer hunters; and improvements to the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP).
First, DEC proposes a process for using electronic carcass tags for deer, bear, and turkey. Hunters can choose to obtain a paper license and tags, as is currently available, or use the HuntFishNY mobile app as electronic proof of licensure and possession and use of tags for deer, bear, or turkey. An electronic harvest report, submitted immediately upon taking a deer, bear, or turkey through the HuntFishNY app, will serve as ‘e-tagging’ the carcass. The HuntFishNY app provides a confirmation number for the report. It continues to function even without immediate cell service, as it stores the harvest report and transmits it to DEC upon reconnection to cell service. Hunters using e-tags will not need to attach a physical tag to their harvested deer, bear, or turkey while they remain in possession of the carcass, including in their vehicle and home. However, if e-tag users leave the carcass unattended or deliver it to a taxidermist or processor, they must affix a tag that includes their name and reporting confirmation number to the carcass. This is a common-sense rule to ensure proper tracking and reporting of harvested animals. For hunters using paper tags, this proposal reduces the timeframe required to report a deer, bear, or turkey harvest from seven days to 48 hours, encouraging prompt reporting and providing greater opportunity for quick law enforcement oversight. As in the past, hunters can report their harvest online through the HuntFishNY app or by phone.
Second, DEC proposes to provide a replacement regular-season deer tag to youth hunters who successfully use that tag during the Youth Big Game Hunt weekend. Some successful young hunters may not have another tag available to use during the subsequent regular firearms season. This rule change will enable youth hunters who successfully fill their regular season tag during the Youth Deer Hunt and who do not have a Deer Management Permit to receive a replacement tag for the regular firearms season.
Replacement tags would be for the opposite sex deer as was harvested during the youth hunt (e.g., harvest of an antlered deer during the Youth Deer Hunt would yield an antlerless-only replacement tag for the regular season). Another common-sense change.
Finally, DEC also proposes to enhance the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) by extending the permit renewal cycle from three years to five years and rescinding the limit on the number of DMAP tags that may be used per hunter. This extension will provide more flexibility for enrollees to implement steady and consistent deer management on private properties, while also reducing paperwork for permittees. The removal of the limit on the number of DMAP tags will benefit landowners by allowing them to maximize the use of the tags issued to them. The total number of DMAP tags issued to a landowner will still be set by DEC staff based on property size and management needs. These changes are designed to improve the hunting experience and wildlife management in New York State.
A review of DEC harvest reports for recent years will show that NYS hunters harvest twice as many bucks as does, many consider this result to reflect poor wildlife management. Perhaps adding to the consideration for the DMAP tag rule change.
Hunting is not only essential for New York State’s wildlife population management, but it also significantly contributes to the state’s economy. It is estimated that hunting contributes $2.6 billion in economic benefits annually to the state’s recreational economy through license sales, equipment purchases, and related travel and lodging expenses. This economic contribution underscores the importance of hunting and justifies the proposed changes to the hunting regulations.
DEC is accepting comments on the proposed changes through Aug. 18, 2025. Submit comments to wildliferegs@dec.ny.gov (subject: “e-tags and DMAP”) or to: NYSDEC, Attn: Deer Hunting Regs, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.
Outdoor Calendar:
July 12-13: WALLEYE. Walleye Duel in Dunkirk, Dunkirk Pavilion – new location, $500 entry; 3-fish bag/ 2-days; Captain’s Mtg on July 11; Mark Mohr: 716-998-9871.
July 17-20: WALLEYE. Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot-Out 2025, $500 entry, $500K prizes; 6-fish bag/day, 1-day competition contest; Don Ruppert; 716-435-4137, www.walleyeshootout.com/.
July 20: BASS. Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters 2025 Summer Open, Bass for Cash, 6 a.m.-2 p.m., Prendergast Boat Launch, $200 Entry includes Big Bass Payout. Tournament Director: 716-708-0330.
July 26-27: ARCHERY. NYS Archery Shooters Association (ASA) Federation Championship, Bear Lake Rod & Gun. Info: Rudy Abersold, 716-397-9717.
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