DEC Finalizes Regulation to Ease Transition to Paper Sporting Licenses and Tags for License Issuing Agents

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the adoption of a regulation that enables License Issuing Agents (LIAs) to recover costs associated with printing and mailing paper sporting licenses and other items sold through DEC's Automated Licensing System.

DEC is transitioning plastic Valeron material to plain paper for all hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and associated tags. With this change, LIAs now supply their own paper, printers, and ink. The new $1 printing fee enables LIAs to cover their material costs. Additionally, DEC's license fulfillment vendor may levy a $2 fee when the customer requests the license be printed and mailed to them. All license buyers who purchase online, by phone, via DEC's HuntFishNY mobile app, or at an LIA will have the option to avoid the transaction fee by choosing to receive their licenses and tags via email for free printing at home.