News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Lori O'Connell, 518-402-8000

DEC Announces Leashed Tracking Dog Handler Exam

ALBANY, NY (07/15/2008; 1055)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that a written examination for individuals interested in obtaining a license to use leashed tracking dogs to find wounded or injured big game animals is scheduled for Friday, August 22, 2008, from 10:00 AM until noon at designated DEC regional offices. All applicants for this exam must register before August 18, 2008.

Before this exam was first offered in 1990, DEC conducted experimental tsting with a small group of leashed tracking dog handlers. Now there are approximately 160 licensed handlers in the State.

For further information or to apply to take the exam, please contact:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Special Licenses Unit

625 Broadway

Albany, NY 12233-4752

518-402-8985

Eligible applicants will be sent a letter of confirmation and a list of exam sites. The application fee is $25, which is non-refundable. In addition, th license fee is $50, payable at the same time as the application fee. For a total of $75 in fees. If an applicant fails the exam, the $50 license fee is refunded. The leashed tracking dog license is valid for five years.

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