The antlered deer and leaping fish icon with the outline of New York State on a green background is the recognized new icon of the HuntFishNY application for everyday mobile users. The app provides easy access to purchasing and storing licenses, fish and game identification, maps, directions and more.
We all know this. Our friend catches a fish in the stream and asks: “What kind of fish is that?” You slide over and explain what you know, but admit that you are unsure. “Can I keep it? Is that legal?” Experienced anglers are usually in the know, but these days, in our post-COVID years, there are many new anglers and hunters in the world of New York State and elsewhere. If you want, you can get instant, accurate help with a click or two, but you must first download a free, customized NYS application and register.
To simplify these simple but difficult questions of identification and regulations, NYS has developed a mobile application called HuntFishNY. When you’re waiting in line at the next red light at an intersection, it’s obvious that most people have a cell phone – just look around and everyone has their phone up, texting someone, or their head down, reading a text from someone. Yes, we live in dangerous times of rapid communication, but the devices also come in handy when needed.
The HuntFishNY app is the official mobile app of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, allowing sportsmen to easily view their licenses and privileges and view important hunting and fishing information. Better yet, hunting and fishing licenses and DMU permits can be purchased online through the app. To purchase a license or permit, simply navigate to the “Buy” section of the app, select the type of license or permit you need, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the purchase. You can also purchase licenses and permits at any DEC licensing location or by calling 866-933-2257.
Hunting and trapping licenses are valid from September 1 to August 31 each year, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
With the switch to plain paper licenses for the 2024-25 season, licenses purchased online can be printed at home so they’re available almost immediately, or you can just keep your phone handy if you have the app, and your license and permits will be included. For more information on switching to plain paper licenses and properly tagging your harvested deer, bear or turkey with paper tags, visit the app or DEC’s website. While a recent law change gave DEC the authority to implement electronic carcass tags for deer, bear and turkey, doing so requires a regulatory change that hasn’t yet gone through the system.
The newest addition to the HuntFishNY application is the Tackle Box feature, which allows you to search for waters by name or by zooming/panning a NYS map in the app. Zoom into and click on a stream or lake and you will find the rules for that waterway, fishing regulations, fish species, stocking information, and fishing/boating access information.
For the 2024-2025 license year, electronic tagging will not be available. Paper tags must be printed on plain paper and carried in the field so you can tag your kill (deer, bear, turkey).
Also new this year: Hunters are no longer required to wear a back tag while hunting throughout New York State. Carrying proof of license (paper or electronically via the HuntFishNY app) is still required. For specific hunting questions, email [email protected].
In addition to the many resources the DEC website offers hunters, trappers and anglers across the state, the HuntFishNY mobile app provides instant mobile access to so much more than just the legal electronic versions of our hunting licenses, privileges and permits. It provides links to useful information. You’ll find summaries of season data, fishing information, a contact list of DEC Encon Officers, a video on gutting/preparing your deer or turkey, and more. The app allows for smart searching of collected harvest data from cities, counties and WMUs, as well as season and harvest method information. This type of data helps in deciding where to hunt and apply for a DMU permit. As a regular hunter or newbie, you can view current and past harvest reports. One click takes you to the current year’s hunting/trapping and freshwater fishing regulations syllabus. Another click provides sunrise and sunset information.
This month, the DEC added a brand new feature to the app called TACKLE BOX. This feature provides anglers with information on water-specific fishing regulations, stocking, fishing/boat access locations and more. It’s like having a personal fishing guide in your pocket. The Tackle Box is part of the DEC’s ongoing effort to make fishing easier, more enjoyable and more accessible to all. In short, it provides the ability to search for waters by name or zoom/pan a NYS map in the app. Zoom into and click on a stream or lake and you’ll find the rules for that waterway, fishing regulations, fish species and stocking information, as well as fishing/boat access information – moorings, bank fishing, boat ramps and parking areas. If you need directions, click again and you’re there. Yes, the app has this navigation feature for directions. If users have any specific fishing questions they may still have, they can email [email protected].
To try it out, download the latest version of HuntFishNY by visiting the Apple App Store (for Apple phones) or the Google Play Store (for Android phones). Simply type HuntFishNY in the Google search bar and click “Download”, or type this in your browser: https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/huntfishny-mobile-app. The hardest part of this process is the registration, which requires the user to set a very long password, unlike any other online application, so please write it down as it must contain a ton of alphanumeric and special characters. After entering the password, click “Save for future use”. Then the HuntFishNY app will load automatically every time you access it. If you need assistance logging into the app or are having other technical issues, please call the DECALS call center at 866-933-2257 or email DEC staff at [email protected].
Once the HuntFishNY application is downloaded to a mobile phone and the user is registered, this is the main screen that displays choices for instant responses.
It’s great to see the state providing such useful resources for hunters and anglers! The HuntFishNY mobile app looks to be a fantastic tool to simplify the process of obtaining a license, understanding regulations, and accessing important information on the go. The addition of the TACKLE BOX feature is especially exciting for anglers as it provides water-specific information, making fishing more accessible and enjoyable. I encourage anyone with a mobile phone to look forward to downloading the app and exploring all of its features.
I love the nature of New York.
CALENDAR
August 24: NYS Hunter Safety Course, Springville Field & Stream, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 8900 Chaise Road, Springville. Online registration: https://dec.ny.gov.
August 29: NYS Hunter Safety Course, Ripley Rod & Gun, 6:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m., plus an additional half day, 9820 Rod and Gun Club Road, Ripley. Register online: https://dec.ny.gov. Attendance required for both days.
August 31: Labor Day skeet shooting, NSCA-registered event of choice, Hanover Fish & Game, 780 Overhiser Road, Forestville. Registration begins at 8 a.m., shooting begins at 9 a.m. Info: https://hanovercalys.com.
September 1: Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club family picnic, members only. 1 N. Mullet St., Dunkirk.
September 1: Hunting season for gray, black and fox squirrels begins in WNY.
September 6-7: WNY Walleye Association Lake Erie Walleye Tournament. Contact: Ron Kucinski: 716-545-5925 or email: [email protected].
September 9-22: 2024 early antlerless deer hunting season in New York State. Check with your local Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) for details.
September 15: Deadline for waterfowl hunting applications on the Oak Orchard/Tonawanda WMAs. Visit NYSDEC online.
