2005-06 Sporting Licenses Available Starting
August 15, 2005

Deer Management Permits, Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Licenses will be Available

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced that 2005-06 hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may be purchased beginning Monday, August 15, 2005. 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, 2005, through September 30, 2006.

"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 Sheehan 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. DEC continues to improve and enhance DECALS to better meet the needs of hunters. Beginning August 15, 2005, individuals will be able to purchase 2005-06 licenses and permits through DECALS at all license issuing outlets across the State, including during the 2005 New York State Fair in Syracuse. License applications can also be mailed, with applications available for download from DEC's website at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/decalsproc.html 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 15, 2005 through midnight October 1, 2005. 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 www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/dmpchances.html on DEC's website. Chances of getting a DMP remain the same throughout the application period from August 15 through October 1, 2005, 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, 2005, leftover DMP sales will commence on November 1, 2005 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 320,000 deer management permits this year, which is approximately half of last year's objective. Lower DMP targets for 2005 are generally the results of deer populations more closely approaching management objectives and the lingering effects of the winter of 2002-03 and the record harvest of 2002.

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 bluebird, the New York State bird. 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 you will also receive a limited edition Habitat/Access lapel pin by mail. More information is available at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/habstamp.html on DEC's website.

This year for the first time, everyone can help feed the hungry by contributing to the Venison Donation Program when they purchase a sporting license. You don't have to be a hunter or angler to help. Anyone can contribute where hunting licenses are sold. Individuals should inform the license sales agent that they want to make a donation of one dollar or more to support the Venison Donation Program. For more information about the Venison Donation Coalition, go to www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/deer/venison.htm on DEC's website.

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