NYSDEC

Wild turkey hunting season began this week and runs through May 30th. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing some changes that may make hunting the feathered species more challenging. There are more than a few hunters already concerned with by the scarcity of the wild prize. The NYDEC wants to hear from those anxious hunters by June 5th.

New York is a big state. Therefore fisheries near Buffalo likely face different challenges than those in Westchester. The Empire State prides itself in regulations but sometimes has to simplify those rules in order to accommodate such a large area of different terrain. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation made some of those adaptations on Tuesday.

Well over a 500,000 big game hunting permits are issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation each year. NYS hunting licenses cost $22 for residents from 16 - 69 years old. A non-resident license costs $100. Hunters can purchase additional privileges, like bowhunting, muzzleloading or turkey permits for between $10 and $15. However, most that purchase those permits are going for big game and that starts on Saturday and there are some new rules you need to know before you get out there.