Hunting license sales for the 2023-2024 seasons began last month.

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. Some WMUs are Preference Points only, meaning that only applicants who have preference points from not getting their first-choice last year (or the last multiple years) would be eligible to receive a DMP.

Landowners who have at least 50 contiguous acres of land within a WMU are given preference for a DMP in the WMU where their land is. Landowners must bring their tax bill with their tax map ID number and SWIS code when applying for DMPs. Disabled veterans are also given preference on their first choice of WMU. There are a few MWUs that have no DMPs as well as WMUs that the NYSDEC is not authorized to issue DMPs for.

Here is a breakdown of some of the local WMUs and their DMP probabilities from the NYSDEC website:

1. 7M- Resident 1st Choice: High, 2nd Choice: Med., Nonresident 1st Choice: High, 2nd Choice: None

2. 7P- Resident 1st Choice: Med., 2nd Choice: None, Nonresident 1st Choice: None, 2nd Choice: None

3. 7S- Resident 1st Choice: High, 2nd Choice: Med., Nonresident 1st Choice: High, 2nd Choice: None

4. 4O- Resident 1st Choice: Pref. Points required, 2nd Choice: None, Nonresident 1st and 2nd: None

5. 4F- Resident 1st Choice: High, 2nd Choice: Landowner/Disabled Veteran only, Nonresident 1st Choice: High, 2nd Choice: None

6. 7J- Resident 1st and 2nd Choice: High, Nonresident 1st and 2nd Choice: High

7. 7R- Resident 1st and 2nd Choice: High, Nonresident 1st and 2nd Choice: High

Deer Management Permits can be used anytime deer hunting, such as during archery season, firearms season, or muzzleloader season, if the hunter has the appropriate privilege for that season. DMPs are also the only tag that is transferrable from one hunter to another.

The original tag holder must sign the tag saying they are giving their tag away. The hunter who receives the DMP must put the Document Number from the DMP on their License Privilege Panel in indelible ink or indelible pencil immediately. Not writing the Document Number for the transferred DMP makes it illegal to be carrying the DMP if not the original person it was issued to.

So, if you are interested in applying for DMPs, remember to do go do it before the end of the day on September 30.