BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is reporting record sales for hunting and trapping licenses for upcoming seasons.
According to DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos, sales for big game hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits were nearly triple that of sales on last year's opening day, more than double on the second day and nearly double the first two weeks.
This year the DEC reported $922,444 in big game sales, compared to $347,103 in 2019.
In addition, over the first two weeks of license sales, sales have reached more than $6.2 million compared to approximately $3.5 million for the first two weeks in 2019.
“With New Yorkers looking for more ways to enjoy the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing tremendous interest in outdoor recreation and in the sports of fishing, hunting, and trapping, including record sales of big game hunting and trapping licenses,” said Commissioner Seggos. “New York is home to some of the best hunting and fishing opportunities in the nation. DEC’s efforts to make sure hunters and anglers are able to purchase fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses and take hunter safety courses from the comfort of their homes, are making the outdoors even more accessible and we will continue to offer our new online courses as we transition back to offering in-person courses.”
All new hunting and trapping licenses are valid from September 1st through August 31st, 2021, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase.
Also, Deer Management Permits are available at all license-issuing outlets, by phone, or online through October 1st, 2020.
