Big changes for deer hunters as licenses go on sale

Hunting and trapping licenses for the upcoming 2026-27 seasons went on sale on August 3. The big change for this year is the implementation of new rules for deer hunting as DEC rolls out their brand new “Earn-A-2nd Buck” (EA2B) program.

Previously, hunters who bought an archery/crossbow license got two buck tags―one to harvest a buck or antlerless deer in the bow season and a second to be used to take a buck during the regular gun season. New for this year, only hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer using a Deer Management Permit (DMP), Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Tag, or Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) tag, will be eligible to receive a second Antlered Deer Tag.

So, if you fill your new “Antlered Deer #1” tag in the bow season and have harvested and reported taking an antlerless deer, you will then receive your “Antlered Deer #2” tag. The “Antlered Deer #2” tag can be used immediately during the early archery season, or you can save it for the regular gun or late bow/muzzleloading seasons for deer.

Another key change for this deer season includes increasing the number of deer management permits (DMPs) you can apply for from two to four―two in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) that have quotas, and two additional permit applications in WMUs with no quota. Additionally, you can now receive an unlimited number of transfers of DMPs. Prior to 2026, deer hunters could only have two DMPs transferred to them from other hunters. Plus, once you fill and report a harvest using a DMP, you will automatically receive a “Bonus” DMP to replace it. Filled and reported Bonus DMPs will also be replaced with additional Bonus DMPs.

DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said the reason for the move to the Earn a 2nd Buck Program, in addition to several other changes to deer hunting regulations, is to increase the harvest of antlerless (primarily female) deer. Increased harvests of antlerless deer improve DEC’s ability to manage abundant deer populations.

“Deer populations are growing across much of New York and, in many areas, are increasing to levels that are detrimental to deer, their habitat, and the public,” said Lefton.

At the annual Outdoor Writers Association Annual Conference, held in Greene and Columbia Counties, DEC’s Big Game Unit Chief Brendan Quirion promoted the Earn a 2nd Buck Program declaring there are an estimated 1.6 million white-tailed deer on the landscape in New York. That’s the highest deer population in the state that I recall DEC referencing. Biologists say they strive to manage deer populations at levels in balance with available habitat and public sentiment by encouraging and empowering hunters to harvest antlerless deer, which remains their number one tool to manage the deer population.  

DEC touts the changes will increase opportunities for hunters to access and utilize Deer Management Permits (DMPs, antlerless deer tags) where most needed.

The newly implemented rules include the following changes:

• Adding 10 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs; 3P, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8H, 8R, 8S, and 9G) to the nine-day season for antlerless deer in mid-September.

• Designating 23 WMUs as having no DMP quota. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer using a DMP in a WMU with no DMP quota would be eligible to have the DMP automatically replaced. For 2026, WMUs 1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G will have no DMP quota.

• Modifying the DMP application process by allowing hunters to apply for up to 4 DMPs: 2 in WMUs with a quota and 2 DMPs in WMUs with no quota.

• Allowing unlimited transfer of DMPs between hunters.

To facilitate the new, Earn-a-2nd-Buck System, DEC reclassified the former Regular Season Deer Tag as an Antlered Deer Tag and the former Bow/Muzzleloader Either-Sex Deer Tag as a Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Tag. Hunters who purchase bowhunting and muzzleloading privileges would receive a Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Tag for each privilege.

The public has expressed concern over potential false reporting the harvest of an antlerless deer during the bow season just to get your second buck tag under the new EA2B System. This is especially concerning since deer tags can now be printed at home in any quantity.

DEC says they are establishing safeguards to minimize that risk by monitoring fraudulent harvest reports. They include requiring hunters to provide proof of their antlerless deer harvest within seven days if requested by DEC. Options for proof of take will include a photograph, submission of the antlerless deer’s head, or contact information for where the deer was processed. They may also require report attestations and conduct law enforcement field checks. DEC discusses the changes in detail to clarify the controversial new rules in the new 2026-2027 Hunting and Trapping Guide which will feature a Q & A for commonly asked questions about the changes and the new program.

You can go to DEC’s at www.dec.ny.gov for more information.

Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time!

A resident of Durham, Larry is a retired captain with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.