Modernizing hunting: New York transitions to electronic licenses

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced new hunting rules on Wednesday, letting hunters use smartphones for licenses and tags. The agency now has electronic options for deer, bears, and turkeys through the HuntFishNY mobile app on Android or from the App Store.

Instead of paper copies, users of e-tags can report their harvest immediately in the app, even without cell service. It will record and automatically send the report once service returns, explained DEC Game Management Section Head Jeremy Hurst.

He added that e-tag users don't need a physical tag to harvest deer, bear, or turkey carcass because the app works as a carcass tag, provided the hunter maintains possession of the animal, including in their home or vehicle. But leaving