I'll tell you trying to buy a non-resident bowhunting license for my wife and myself has been unbelievable. First, I got on the NYSDEC website back in mid August and printed out some apps and mailed them in with $ to Albany (where the website said to send them). Strike one. NYS returned them saying they needed to go to ARIZONA or to call in the decals #. They changed their website now saying to mail them to Phoenix, AZ. OK, I decided to call.I've tried 15-20 times every day, but can't even get through... busy,busy, busy! Strike two. Finally, last night I get through and am put on hold for ever. There is a message saying that the demand was far greater than expected with hold times exceeding 1 hour. Now they say they would man the phones until midnight easten time. Call back then and again put on hold for over 45 minutes. Finally gave up. I'm not sure if this is a charge call or a freebie. Never have got through. My buddy finally got through by leaving the speaker phone on, watching T.V. and holding for over 1 hour. Guess what? They did not have him in the system and would not sell him a license! He's been up to my camp for about the last 8 years, but they have no record. I've been purchasing NR gun / bow hunting licenses for about 25 years and never have been so frustrated. Why didn't they get all this crap straightened out months ago? They raise the $ this year and then do this. What an abortion. Can you say INCOMPETENCE?

I went to get my license today at the town hall. It took just a few minutes and I was done and i got only one DMP. As I went to leave I noticed that my name was spelled wrong. It took over an hour for the clerk to correct the problem while on the phone with a guy from Arizona walking her thru the steps,but now my DMP has the wrong name and my first and last name are reversed. They also told me that several Sporting goods stores are out of the print material and everyone has a back order.

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Thanks Snowchaser. Can it be done over the phone by calling DEC?

The phone banks only have you on file if you applied for a DMP, have a recent Hunter Training course or bought last years license in the main DEC office.

I was on hold yesterday for 45 minutes and finally got my DMP. I have a lifetime license, so they said the tags will be mailed to me soon. We shall see....

It will be great when you can do everthing on the website - maybe ten years????

Hunting is a right, treat it like a priviledge - respect nature

Thanks for the info. I was on the phone for over 1 1/2 hours and still didn't get through anyone. I finally decided to mail my app to WorldCom in Phoenix AZ. Not sure why they are processing the apps in Phoenix? Hopefully I will have my license and DMP tags by November.

. . . Rob

I tried to call and do it over the phone for several days and didnt get anywhere. So we took a ride out to and got them in person at a town hall.

Got mine on the first try w/ two DMPs. FYI, if you buy the SuperSportsman's the issuing agent gets a buck (the kind you spend, not the kind you shoot). So I went to the local town hall (Riga) -- Wally World gets enough of my money as it is and they were having massive problems with the system (being out of tape, etc.) when I was there.

Checked my mail today and surprise, surprise, I received a second DMP
from the DEC in the mail. When I bought the the license in person at a local store I was given only one DMP even though I'm a nonresident landowner (3K). Didn't know they were sending out extras , I thought I would have to reapply October 15 if I wanted another. So if anyone was disappointed, check your mail, maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised. Best of luck to all this season.

Is it true that you will only get 1 doe permit if you don't get your license before Oct.1?

GUNS AND KNOWLEDGE ARE THE BEST PROTECTION AGAINST TERRORISM