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DEC Announces New Hunter Achievement Awards Program
Published: May 01, 2026 at
06:30 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Announces New Hunter Achievement Awards Program
Awards Available for 24 Game Species Hunted or
Trapped In New York State
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton
today announced DEC’s new Hunter Achievement Awards (HAA) program to
recognize hunters and trappers who legally harvest game
species, acknowledging their success and encouraging participation in
hunting for conservation.
“New York offers
diverse and high-quality hunting and trapping opportunities,” said
Commissioner Lefton. “These awards highlight not only the harvest,
but also the commitment of hunters and trappers to conservation of natural
resources across New York.”
Like DEC’s
Bureau of Fisheries' highly popular Angler Achievement Awards, members of the hunting and
trapping community can collect commemorative
species-specific stickers to celebrate their annual game
harvest accomplishments. The HAA program celebrates individuals who
demonstrate skill, dedication, and a passion for hunting and trapping New
York’s diverse array of game species. Awards are available for 24 game
species that can be hunted or trapped in New York, including wild turkey.
The HAA full
entry rules and submission form can be found on DEC’s Hunter Achievement Awards webpage. Entry forms
must be received within 30 days of the season closing. Only legal
harvests will be considered for award, and applicants must report their deer, bear, and turkey harvests prior
to submitting their entry for those species. Entries may be disqualified
based on incorrect species identification, improper game or firearm
handling, evidence of illegal hunting methods, or failure to report
harvest.
Each hunter or
trapper will be limited to one sticker per species per season, and
all submissions must include at least one photograph of the hunter with
their harvest. Photograph(s) should be respectful of the animal and any
implement in the photo should be pointed in a safe direction. Hunters
and trappers have the option to allow DEC to use their
photograph(s) for promotional purposes or to opt out of future use of the
photograph(s).
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