The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation is, by Aug. 1, returning to plain paper rather than synthetic paper for sporting licenses and carcass tags.

This is to provide purchasers quicker access to licenses and tags, offering at-home printing options for the increasing number of hunters, trappers, and anglers who purchase their licenses online, according to a release from the DEC.

“This cost-effective shift to paper tags will reduce the state’s carbon footprint and ensure our sporting license program is at the forefront of emerging technologies,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos in the release.

Customers will still be able to purchase licenses in-person at an issuing agent, online, or over the phone. Additionally, when hunters and anglers are afield, proof of licensure can be shown electronically through the HuntFishNY mobile app.

The app is also a fast and easy way for hunters to report their game harvests. Currently, the only option for backtags and carcass tags will be plain paper. 

This change is effective for the 2024-25 license year and will begin with sales starting Aug. 1, 2024. Lifetime license holders should also expect to receive their 2024-25 licenses and tags on plain paper by mail by Sept. 1, 2024. The change to plain paper does not apply to the spring 2024 turkey season.