The antlered deer and jumping fish symbol with an image contour of New York state on a field of green background is the recognized new HuntFishNY application symbol for everyday mobile phone users. The app provides easy access to purchase and store licenses, identify fish and game, maps, directions and much more.
We’ve all been there. Our buddy catches a fish on the creek and asks, “What kind of fish is this?” You slide over and explain what you know but admit you are unsure. “Can I keep it? Is it 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. There is instant, accurate help with a click or two, if you want it, but you must download a free customized NYS application and register first.
To help simplify those simple but difficult questions about identification and regulations, NYS came up with a mobile application called HuntFishNY. As you are sitting in line waiting at the next red-light signal at an intersection, it is plain to see most folks have a mobile phone — one look around and everyone is holding up their phone and texting someone, or their head is down and they’re reading a text from someone. Yes, we live in dangerous times of rapid communication, but the devices are also useful when necessary.
The HuntFishNY app is the official New York State Department of Environmental Conservation mobile app that provides sportsmen/women a simple way to display their licenses and privileges and view important hunting and fishing-related 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 ‘Purchase’ 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 of DEC license-issuing agents or by telephone at 866-933-2257.
Hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 each year, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
With the transition to plain paper licenses for the 2024-25 season, licenses purchased online can be printed at home, making them almost instantly accessible, or you can just keep your phone handy if you have the app, your license and permits are in there. Additional information on the transition to plain paper licenses and how to properly tag your harvested deer, bear, or turkey using paper tags can be found on the app or on the DEC website. While a recent legislative change gave DEC the authority to accommodate electronic carcass tags for deer, bear, and turkey, this requires a regulatory change not yet through the system.
The latest addition to the HuntFishNY Application is the Tackle Box feature that provides the ability to search waterbodies by name or by zooming/panning a NYS map in the App. Zoom into a creek or lake and click on it and there are the rules for that waterway, fishing regulations, fish species, stocking information and fishing/boating access info.
Electronic tagging will not be available for the 2024-25 license year and paper tags will be required to be printed on plain paper and carried while afield so you can tag your harvest (deer, bear, turkey).
Also new this year, hunters are no longer required to wear a back tag while afield anywhere in New York State. Carrying proof of license in the field (hard copy license or electronic license through the HuntFishNY mobile app) is still required. For specific questions about hunting, email wildlife@dec.ny.gov.
In addition to the many resources the DEC website offers for 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 sporting licenses, privileges and permits. It provides links to useful information. You can find season date summaries, fishing information, a DEC Encon Officer contact list, a video on how to clean/field dress your deer or turkey, and much more. The APP allows a smart search for collecting town, county and WMU harvest data and season and method-of-take info. This kind of data helps decide where to hunt and apply for a DMU permit. As a regular hunter or a newbie, it allows viewing current and past harvest reports. One-click will get you to the current year’s Hunting/Trapping and Freshwater Fishing Regulations syllabus. One more click will offer sunrise/sunset information.
This month, the DEC just added a brand-new feature to the app called the TACKLE BOX. This feature provides anglers with one-stop info for waterbody-specific information on fishing regulations, stocking, fishing/boating access sites and more. It’s like having a personal fishing guide in your pocket. The Tackle Box is part of DEC’s continued efforts to make fishing easier, more enjoyable and more accessible to all. In short, it provides the ability to search waterbodies by name or by zooming/panning a NYS map in the App. Zoom into a creek or lake and click on it. There are the rules for that waterway, the fishing regulations, the fish species and stocking information, and fishing/boating access information — docks, shore fishing, boat launches, and parking areas. If you need to know driving directions, one more click, and there they are. Yes, it has that navigation feature for driving directions. For specific fishing questions that may remain, users can email fwfish@dec.ny.gov.
To try it out, download the latest version of HuntFishNY by visiting the Apple App Store (for Apple phones) or Google Play Store (for Android phones). Just type in HuntFishNY in the Google search bar and click download, or type this into your browser: https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/huntfishny-mobile-app. The most challenging part of this process is registration, which requires the user to establish a very long password, unlike any other online application. So, please write it down because it needs to contain a trainload of alphanumeric and special characters. Once you input the password, click on save for future use. Then, anytime you access the HuntFishNY app, it will load automatically. If you need help logging into the app or have other technical problems, please call the DECALS call center at 866-933-2257 or email DEC staff at FW.Information@dec.ny.gov.
Once the HuntFishNY Application is downloaded to a mobile phone and the user is registered, this is the main screen that offers choices for instant response.
It’s great to see the state providing such useful resources for hunters and anglers! The HuntFishNY mobile app seems to be a fantastic tool for simplifying the process of obtaining licenses, understanding regulations, and accessing important information while out in the field. The addition of the TACKLE BOX feature for anglers is especially exciting, as it provides waterbody-specific information, making fishing more accessible and enjoyable. I’d like to encourage everyone with a mobile phone to look forward to downloading the app and exploring all of its features.
Gotta love the NY outdoors.
CALENDAR
Aug. 24: NYS Hunter Safety Course, Springville Field & Stream, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 8900 Chaise Road, Springville. Register online: https://dec.ny.gov.
Aug. 29: NYS Hunter Safety Course, Ripley Rod & Gun, 6-9:30 p.m., plus one additional half-day, 9820 Rod and Gun Club Road, Ripley. Register online: https://dec.ny.gov. Must attend both days.
Aug. 31: Labor Day Sporting Clay Shoot, NSCA registered event by choice, Hanover Fish & Game, 780 Overhiser Road, Forestville. Registration starts at 8 a.m., shooting begins at 9 a.m. Info: https://hanovercalys.com.
Sept. 1: Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club family picnic, members only. 1 N. Mullet St., Dunkirk.
Sept. 1: NYS Squirrel season opens in WNY (gray, black, fox).
Sept. 6-7: WNY Walleye Association Lake Erie Walleye Tournament, Contact Ron Kucinski: 716-545-5925, or email: kucinski1293@gmail.com.
Sept. 9-22: NYS Early Antlerless 2024 Deer Season, check specific Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
Sept. 15: Deadline for waterfowl hunting applications to Oak Orchard/Tonawanda WMAs. Visit NYSDEC online.