New York is rolling out a new statewide program aimed at recognizing hunters and trappers not just for what they harvest, but for their role in conservation.
The initiative creates a formal system for tracking and celebrating legal game harvests across a wide range of species.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced Friday the launch of its Hunter Achievement Awards program, a new effort to reward participants who legally harvest game species in the state.
Officials say the program is designed to encourage participation in hunting and trapping while reinforcing their role in managing wildlife populations and supporting conservation goals.
“New York offers diverse and high-quality hunting and trapping opportunities,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a statement. “These awards highlight not only the harvest, but also the commitment of hunters and trappers to conservation of natural resources across New York.”
The program mirrors the agency’s longstanding Angler Achievement Awards, offering participants commemorative stickers tied to specific species. In total, awards will be available for 24 game species that can be hunted or trapped in New York, including wild turkey.
To qualify, participants must submit an entry form within 30 days of the close of the applicable hunting or trapping season. Harvests must be legal and properly reported where required, including for deer, bear, and turkey.
Each applicant is limited to one award per species per season and must include at least one photograph with their submission. State officials say photos should depict respectful handling of the animal and safe use of any equipment.
Entries can be disqualified for violations such as improper species identification, unsafe firearm handling, or evidence of illegal hunting methods.
Hunters and trappers can choose whether to allow the state to use submitted photos for promotional purposes.
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