Printer Paper Licenses...??

[woodchucker]

It's very true, you can carry your license on your phone, or laminate it etc.

The big issue, is the tags? How do you fill out a tag on your phone? Actually physicaly tagging your deer is really not a problem. Fill out your tag, put it in a ziplock bag, wrap the bag around a leg, and secure it with a zip tie.
NYS Conservation law states your tag must be filled out immediately upon kill. How do you do this in the woods, in inclimate weather? the tag will get wet, and you will be unable to write on it!
Past practice around here, is that the CO's wait out on the road, by your truck, and wait for you to come out of the woods. Filling out your tag, in a nice dry truck, would be a violation.

[Al Dente]

Say it is raining, and zip lock bag gets moisture in it, how is that going to go if you get flagged to pull into a check station?  I am sure the ECO's aren't too happy about this either.  This will be learning curve for everyone.  But just make sure to buy your license, pay your taxes, and fill those coffers in Albany

[Mint]

It's very true, you can carry your license on your phone, or laminate it etc.

The big issue, is the tags? How do you fill out a tag on your phone? Actually physicaly tagging your deer is really not a problem. Fill out your tag, put it in a ziplock bag, wrap the bag around a leg, and secure it with a zip tie.
NYS Conservation law states your tag must be filled out immediately upon kill. How do you do this in the woods, in inclimate weather? the tag will get wet, and you will be unable to write on it!
Past practice around here, is that the CO's wait out on the road, by your truck, and wait for you to come out of the woods. Filling out your tag, in a nice dry truck, would be a violation. They changed the regs, you don't have to tag until you get the deer to your truck. There isa youtube video "Using Paper Carcass tags"

[dnovo]

I've never hunted anywhere where you had the tag on your back like some of the eastern states.
I have all my tags on my phone now in the app for my state. Since I'm not hunting wilderness or other area, the phone battery is not a consideration.
I'm one who's not a tech person but I find it easy and convenient. Of course I do have the option of printing paper tags and in the past just kept them in a good ziploc bag.

[Terry Green]

Of course I do have the option of printing paper tags and in the past just kept them in a good ziploc bag.

Yes, like a freezer bag. That is about the simplest way. 

[David McLendon]

Take them by any Staples or Office Depot and have them laminated.

[achigan]

Indiana went to plain paper LICENSES a while back. We write the date, sex, etc info on a piece of paper that has to stay with the killed animal ‘til processed. We use an app to check the animal in on our phones. IDNR is holding a photo contest right now to select 4 images that will appear on credit card type licenses in 2025. We’ll pay extra if we want the plastics license.

[achigan]

[Al Dente]

Printed mine out.  The NYSDEC license webpage is just plain strange.  Not a lot of thought went into the layout and ease of use, in my opinion.  I was NOT going to an agent and paying for their ink and paper, another money grab.  But, they have billions for illegals.

[Zing]

Tennessee gives you the option to purchase for 5 dollars a plastic credit card type license. You can have a picture on your phone. You have an app on your phone, log in, and report your kill and you are issued a number.  They call it Tag before you drag.

[JR Chambers]

My WV lifetime licenses is laminated.

[woodchucker]

How do you fill out your deer tag "immediately upon kill" on your phone? 

[Stumpkiller]

I was pretty unimpressed with the NYSDEC carcass tag idea of being printer paper.  That will last 35 seconds in the rain or transport as an ear tag even in the bed of a pick-up.  Oh well.  "It was there 15 minutes ago, Officer."

As there are few deer processors locally any more, and those shut down after 50 or so deer, so I am back to processing my own.  Vacuum pack machine cost 1/2 what a cut and wrap cost, and I am retired so I have time to do it properly.

[woodchucker]

Tyler found some 4" X 5" zip lock "parts bags" on Amazon
My license folds up neatly, and nicely fits into the bag. Tags are folded up and slipped into a seperate bag, and folded up to slip nicely into the bag  with my license. Makes a nice little package that easily slips into a pocket.
As for tagging the animal. The paper tag is fine. Once filled out, it can easily be slipped into the extra bag, and zip tied around an antler or leg. Almost all things considered, I'm happy with it! 

My biggest complaint, is the DEC regulation that requires the hunter to fill out the tag "immediately upon kill"
I questioned an ENCON officer at the county fair and his response was "how did you used to do it? A pen wouldn't write on that stuff anyway" I explained that at least you could cut the date, and the info was usually indented into the tag.
I explained that I was concerned about with nothing firm to lean on, the pen would punch through the paper and if it was raining or snowing, hands and everything would be wet, compounding the problem...
His response? "Well, we except braile" 

[Al Dente]

I used to use a fine point Sharpie to fill out the tag.  I am totally frustrated with the DEC, have been for decades.  At this point, after thinking about it, I just don't care anymore.  I hunt my own land, or private land, and butcher my own kills.  Will I attempt to do the right/legal thing?  Yes, but if the system fails, I am not wasting any of my time trying.  They have mismanaged the agency and the wildlife, and refuse to amend their ways.  They should be thankful that so many others, who are similarly irritated, still purchase a license.

[woodchucker]

You're actually spot on Al

Do to my past injury, my handwriting is illegible at best
I think I'll just wait and fill it out at camp, or the truck, and take my chances with the ticket? 

Ask the judge to have me write something, then see if he can read it?
"Your honor, that was in a courtroom, writing on a table.
Could you imagine what that would look like, if I filled it out up in the woods"??

[PrimitivePete]

What I don't get, is in this age why not do the entire process digitally. I have my NYS license on their app. How hard would it be for me to complete an online form in an app that would include taking a picture with GPS coordinates saved. Problem solved. If you get stopped, you whip out your phone and they can review it all they want.

[Al Dente]

Because it is NYS!!!!  Remember when they rooled out DECALS, the nightmare that ensued.  No server connection.  Thermal paper getting jammed.  Waiting for hours.  They do not hire the best and the brightest, they hire the cheapest, and fire the experienced.

[JR Chambers]

I just get a bunch of paper and make little tags with all my info on them and then all I have to do is write the date it when I kill one. I just put it in my pocket then.