Hunting license sales for the 2021-2022 seasons began last week. Lifetime license holders likely already have received their license and tags in the mail (at least I did). From the first day they are sold until September 30, hunters can apply for up to two Deer Management Permits (DMPs).

DMPs are tags that are valid for antlerless deer and can only be used in the Wildlife Management Unit that is printed on them. Hunters must select their first and second choice of WMUs when applying and must pay a $10 application fee. The NYSDEC gives each WMU a probability for being selected to receive a DMP. Units with “High” chances mean that at least two out of three applicants will get a DMP. Units with “medium” chances mean that between one and two out of three applicants will get a DMP. “Low” chance units mean that at most, one out of three applicants will receive a DMP for that unit.