We, the undersigned residents, hunters, and concerned citizens of New York State, call upon Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to immediately review and revise the current deer hunting regulations. Specifically, we demand an end to the split deer hunting seasons that require separate fees for archery season tags, muzzleloading tags, regular season tags, and doe tags. This structure imposes an undue financial burden on hunters, discourages new participants from entering the sport, and undermines critical conservation efforts.
For decades, hunting has been a vital tradition in New York, providing sustenance, promoting outdoor recreation, and supporting wildlife management. However, the current system of fragmented fees—unlike the single-price model for fishing licenses—makes hunting less accessible and affordable. Many hunters rely on deer meat to supplement their diets, reduce grocery costs, and maintain a high quality of life. The added costs deter potential new hunters, leading to fewer participants in conservation practices such as habitat improvement and population control.
Moreover, uncontrolled deer populations pose significant risks to New York residents, including increased vehicle collisions, crop damage, and ecological imbalances. By simplifying the licensing process to a single, affordable fee that covers all deer hunting seasons and methods (archery, muzzleloader, and firearm), along with inclusive doe harvest opportunities, we can encourage broader participation, enhance conservation outcomes, and ensure safer communities.
Our Proposed Changes:
 • Implement a unified deer hunting license with one flat fee, valid for the entire deer season across all methods (archery, muzzleloader, and regular firearm), similar to the fishing license model.
 • Include a reasonable number of doe tags within the base license or offer them at no additional cost to promote effective population management.
 • Allocate a portion of license revenues directly to expanded conservation programs, such as habitat restoration and hunter education initiatives, to support sustainable practices.
 • Streamline regulations to reduce administrative burdens, allowing hunters more time for ethical harvesting and stewardship activities.
We urge the Governor and DEC to prioritize this reform in the next regulatory cycle, engaging stakeholders through public hearings to ensure the changes reflect the needs of New York’s hunting community. By ending split seasons, New York can foster a more inclusive, effective, and conservation-focused hunting framework.