NYS DEC Launches New Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Licensing System

Improved DECALS Includes User-Friendly Features to Help Hunters Find License Sales Outlets, Keep Track of Licenses, and Harvest Information

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the launch of the State’s new system for the sale of fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses. The new DEC Automated Licensing System (DECALS) includes user-friendly information to help users locate vendors, receive instant copies of a license, enter and view harvest information, and more.

Commissioner Seggos said, “The new automated DECALS licensing system makes it simpler than ever before for New Yorkers to purchase fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses from the comfort of their homes, either over the phone or online. We’re committed to improving outdoor enthusiasts’ experiences from start to finish, and the new DECALS is one of the many ways New York will continue to meet the needs of our sporting community so they can focus on enjoying the abundant fishing, hunting, and trapping opportunities available throughout the state.”

As the system’s new features are updated, additional functionality launching on DECALS will include: 

• Events calendar with upcoming season dates, youth hunts, free fishing days and clinics, and more;
• Full integration with DEC’s Hunter Education Program enabling users to more easily register for courses and automatically update certifications; and
• Auto-renewal options for all annual licenses.
  

Users can access DECALS by phone and online. New York State’s 1,100 license issuing agents are expected to be up and running on the new DECALS system soon, so contact local agents before heading out to purchase licenses in person. Call DEC’s customer service hotline (866-933-2257) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or go to the DECALS website and buy licenses online.

Please note that previous DECALS logins will not work in the new system. To access current accounts, click on the ‘Sign Up’ link on the new DECALS website and use date of birth and DEC customer ID number or a driver’s license number to locate existing files and create a new login. Please call DEC’s customer service line at 866-933-2257 with any questions.

The new system is developed and supported by Kalkomey, a company that specializes in outdoor recreation and education web applications. Kalkomey currently provides hunter education classes for 46 states, including New York, as well as in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. DEC recently announced the success of Kalkomey’s online hunter and bowhunter safety courses for New York State, which allow new hunters to take classes online during the State’s response to COVID-19. Nearly 28,000 men, women, and children have taken the course to date, which was extended through Aug. 31, 2020.

Students who successfully complete the online courses and pass the final exam will receive their hunter education certificate or bowhunter education certificate. The courses are available to individuals 11 and older, but only those 12 or older may purchase a hunting license. Students can complete the courses from a computer, tablet, or smart phone at any time. Visit DEC’s Hunter Education Program page to learn more or to sign up.

To take and receive a hunter education certificate or bowhunter education certificate through the online course, participants must be New York State residents. The cost of the hunter education course is $19.95 and the cost for the bowhunter education course is $30. Both courses can be accessed at DEC’s website. The online courses will be available through Aug. 31, 2020.

For more information on recreational opportunities available in New York State visit DEC’s website. New Yorkers are encouraged to engage in responsible recreation close to home during the State’s ongoing response to COVID-19. DEC recommendations incorporate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health for reducing the spread of infectious diseases and encourage New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice physical distancing, show respect, and use common sense to protect themselves and others. For more information, go to DEC’s website.