Hunting Down (and Fishing For) DEC License Data

Have you ever wondered why you need a license to do some of your favorite outdoor activities? Fishing and hunting, as well as other outdoor sports and recreation, require careful management to strike a balance between supply and demand. History proves that the uncontrolled taking of fish and animals can cause the demise of a species. Wildlife biologists, armed with statistical data and habitat studies, can advise the public on the best practice to carry out these activities. Licensing is an effective way of exerting studied control on these activities and, at the same time, helps fund continued data collecting and research efforts.

In New York State, the licensing responsibility is part of the Department of Environmental Conservation's function. A variety of licenses are issued by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources and the Division of Forest Protection. In Herkimer and Oneida Counties, nearly 65,000 DEC licenses were issued during the 2010-2011 season (licenses typically run from October 1st to September 30th of the following year). These generated nearly $1.9 million dollars in revenues !

Below are the Top 10 types of licenses issued by the DEC for Herkimer and for Oneida Counties, along with the amount of revenue each generated. To see the full list of the licenses issued in any county in NYS over the past 10 years, visit this data site at the DEC.

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