DEC announces new Hunter Achievement Awards program

RAY BROOK | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a 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," DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said May 1. "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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DEC announces new Hunter Achievement Awards program

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