Conservation licenses go on sale in August. Anyone seeking a new license for hunting must provide a hunter’s training course certification. Mandatory hunter education requires a minimum 10-hour course and bow hunter education requires a minimum 8-hour course. To qualify for a resident license, the applicant must live in New York State a minimum of 30 days prior to the date of application. In the new automated system, your driver’s license number or your previous hunting license number will bring up your information in the Clerk’s system. If you are not in the system, proof of an old license or course certification, along with your driver’s license, will enable the clerk to issue a new license. The minimum age to receive a hunting license is 12 years of age. Junior hunters under the age of 16 need parental or guardian consent to receive a license. Licenses and permits are valid from October 1 though September 30. Fishing licenses are valid for one year from the date of issue.