Lifetime Sporting Licenses

The following licenses are available to New York State residents only.

Lifetime Resident Sportsman License -- (combined hunting, fishing and big game)
License Category	Cost
For a child four years of age or younger	$300
For a child five through eleven years of age	$420
For a person age twelve to 64	$600
For a person age 65 and over	$50

Lifetime Resident Licenses
License Category	Cost
Hunting license (small and big game)	$350
Fishing license (age 12 to 64)	$350
Fishing license (age 65 and older)	$50
Trapping license	$300
Bowhunting license	$180
Muzzleloading license	$180

Major points of interest to sportsmen and sportswomen are:

Lifetime licenses can now be purchased at all license issuing outlets in New York State, or they can be ordered from the fulfillment center. Lifetime licenses for children under 16 can be purchased only at points of sale or in person at the DEC headquarters, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY
Credit Cards may be used to purchase adult lifetime licenses through the mail as long as the applicant has a New York State Driver's license that was issued one year prior to applying. For your convenience we have included a Mail-in Computerized Sporting License Application Form, (67 KB PDF), This form can be downloaded, filled out and sent to the fulfillment center: VERIZONbusiness, P.O. Box 36985, Phoenix, AZ 85067-6985.
Lifetime licenses are available only to residents of New York State who have been residents for at least one year immediately prior to the application date (proof required).
Lifetime license applicants must present the same proofs of residence, eligibility and age as annual license applicants. With the original lifetime license purchase, the customer will receive appropriate tags for the season and license type at points of sale.
When purchasing a lifetime license as a gift for an adult, you must include all required proofs at the time of application.
Lifetime licenses are effective immediately upon sale and receipt by licensee.
Lifetime license purchases from the fulfillment center take at least two weeks for processing. Please take this into consideration when purchasing one during peak hunting and fishing seasons, for holidays and for special occasion gifts (birthdays, graduations, etc.).
After the original purchase, appropriate tags, regulations guides and any special applications will be mailed annually to lifetime licensees.
Lifetime license privileges are equal to those of annual license buyers. Lifetime licensees must still purchase separate privileges, such as turkey permits and deer management permits. Legislation passed in 2002 added turkey permit privileges to the lifetime sportsman license only.
Lifetime licenses will remain valid for those privileges purchased in New York State regardless of a change in residency.
Lifetime licenses are not transferable.
Refunds for lifetime license fees will not be made under any conditions.
Lifetime license fees may increase when annual license fees increase and such increases will not affect sportsmen and sportswomen who have previously purchased a lifetime license.
Lost lifetime licenses and tags can be replaced at any point of sale for standard replacement fees. Lost lifetime identification cards can be replace through the fulfillment center for a $5 fee.
When purchasing a lifetime license for a child, the purchaser must bring a copy of the child's birth certificate and a copy of the parent's residency proof.
When purchasing a lifetime license for a child, the purchaser must bring a copy of the child's birth certificate and a copy of the parent's residency proof. When the child becomes age 12 and wishes to receive his/her tags, s/he must first take the appropriate hunter safety training course. A copy of the certificate must then be sent to the DEC License Sales Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4790 before their tags can be fulfilled. Young hunters should take the appropriate training course well in advance of the season to allow adequate time for their tags to be mailed. Tags cannot be obtained by contacting your local license issuing agent.

The purchase of a lifetime license goes forever into New York State's Fish and Game Trust Fund. Only the interest from this fund goes into the State's Conservation Fund which is overseen by the Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) and is dedicated to the support and promotion of fishing, hunting and trapping. For additional information or clarification, contact the License and Promotional Sales Unit, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4790 or call 1-518-402-8843.