Ontario County Rifle Bill

[Doc]

Speaking of "Gun and hunting laws", has anyone heard of any progress on the deer season rifle bill for Ontario County? Does anyone know the bill number so I can check it out? If that does make it through for this year, I've got a deer rifle to buy. That's a purchase I don't want to rush.

[Lawdwaz]

BUY IT NOW! 7mm-08, 260, 243, 257Bob, before they are sold out.........

From the MPMNow.com web site......

Canandaigua, N.Y. —

Rifle hunting for deer will be allowed in Ontario County, if state legislators approve it.

Over the years, two forms of a resolution supporting the idea have been approved at the county level, although supervisors rejected another a year ago.

The county Board of Supervisors again is behind it, although the state has to adopt a law before hunters can load up their rifles.

Supervisors on Thursday night OK’d a resolution asking the state to allow hunters to use rifles for big-game hunting — which also could include bear — throughout the county. Several supervisors, however, opposed the measure, citing safety concerns.

Keith Kappel, secretary and treasurer of the Ontario County Conservation Federation, said there are no safety issues associated with rifle hunting, and opposition is “based on emotion and fear.”

Hunting accidents ranged from as low as 26 to as high as 35 during the last six years in areas where rifle hunting is allowed, according to statistics supplied by the club. Also, 99 percent of all accidents involve hunters only, not the general public.

“The evidence concludes rifle hunting is safe, effective and efficient,” Kappel said.

East Bloomfield Supervisor Dodie Huber said the case has been made that rifle hunting is safe, although as with other forms of hunting, accidents happen. Other New York counties are allowing the practice, most recently Albany and Cayuga counties. Nearby Yates County also allows it.

“I believe strongly in it,” Huber said.

Seneca Supervisor John Sheppard said hunters take safety courses and are required to get licenses and permission to hunt.

“There’s enough people out there to keep us safe,” Sheppard said.

Victor Supervisor Jack Marren voted against it, saying his town is growing, with 1,000 more new homes coming in the years ahead.

“I don’t think it’s the right thing,” Marren said.

Bristol Supervisor Bob Green said he is a hunter and not opposed to hunting. But, he said, many Pennsylvania communities that had similar laws in place are rethinking them.

“I get concerned when I hear it’s totally safe,” Green said.

Geneva City Supervisor Rocky LaRocca said the state and individual town boards in the county should make the decision, not the Board of Supervisors.

This is the fourth time the board has voted on a big-game resolution, the most recent failing in March 2011.

Previous laws also had been difficult to pass in Albany. In one case, the wording was changed; in another, state senators did not act on a bill.

Kappel said local state legislators support the idea.

Phelps Supervisor Norm Teed is among the supervisors who opposed a resolution a year ago, but support it this time. The difference is that the resolution includes all of the county.

“I think it is safe,” Teed said.

Edited July 23, 2012 by Lawdwaz

[Doc]

Yeah, I read that Messenger article, but I know there is a lot of time that can be sucked up in legislature. Last time that part of the process got all plugged up with other matters (budget). Also, we even had the damned bill on the Governors desk with him willing to sign it and it had to be yanked back because of a composition error. So, I am not taking anything for granted .... lol. It's a long process between sending a resolution to Albany until it gets a Governor's signature. When the bill has a governor's signature on it, I will be in the market to buy. That's why I would like to track it on the computer, but I need a bill number.

By the way, I am currently thinking of a .270 caliber. Just a little more than a .243 but still not something that will beat the hell out of me. Also, probably a 3-9 variable scope on top. What do you think of the .270?

[Lawdwaz]

Yeah, I read that Messenger article, but I know there is a lot of time that can be sucked up in legislature. Last time that part of the process got all plugged up with other matters (budget). Also, we even had the damned bill on the Governors desk with him willing to sign it and it had to be yanked back because of a composition error. So, I am not taking anything for granted .... lol. It's a long process between sending a resolution to Albany until it gets a Governor's signature. When the bill has a governor's signature on it, I will be in the market to buy. That's why I would like to track it on the computer, but I need a bill number.

By the way, I am currently thinking of a .270 caliber. Just a little more than a .243 but still not something that will beat the hell out of me. Also, probably a 3-9 variable scope on top. What do you think of the .270?

Nothing wrong with the 270. Personally I'd opt for a 260 Remington if you'd like a bit more "umph" than a 243 Winchester offers. Great caliber with plenty of zip to zap any deer or bear you might bump into. No recoil and the gun, in theory, should be lighter and handier to lug around those South Bristol Hills.

I like all the short action calibers and own (for deer hunting) a 243 Win., 257 Roberts, 260 Remington, 7mm-08 and 300WSM.

Why, you ask, do I prefer a short action over a long action? One time on a deer hunt in Texas, I "short stroked" a cartridge in my 270Win. and caused a bit of a jam up in the action port. No big deal but since then I have always sought out S/A guns and calibers.

Hopefully we can mull this over MORE when the rifle bill is passed!!

[Doc]

They better hurry up if it is going to be in effect for this year. It takes me a long time to settle down on things like calibers and makes and models. I usually have to study and research and agonize for months when it comes to these kinds of purchases.....lol.

[Lawdwaz]

They better hurry up if it is going to be in effect for this year. It takes me a long time to settle down on things like calibers and makes and models. I usually have to study and research and agonize for months when it comes to these kinds of purchases.....lol.

Loaners COULD be available. <<grin>>

[WNYBuckHunter]

If it goes through, my fiance is gonna be pissed when I "have to" buy a stainless 260 barrel, scope and mount for my Encore....

[Doc]

I just got the latest issue of New York Outdoor News, and they said that the Ontario County rifle bill "failed to advance beyond the environmental conservation committee during this legislative session". I'm not sure what that all means, but last time I heard that kind of talk, was the last attempt and they had to go back to ground zero to get it started again. That was last year when the budget process stalled (killed) the bill in committee and it had to come all the way back to the county board of supervisors where it got voted down at that time ( I thought permanently). This Ontario County rifle bill seems to be doomed. It all probably means that I have at least one more year to endure a beating by the old 12 guage.

[Lawdwaz]

The entire process seems like a real circle jerk. Between the Youth hunt and the rifle bill for Ontario County these guys don't apear to be able to find the FREAKIN page let alone get on it together.

I just bought another rifle yesterday, a Sako Hunter AV action, left hand in 25-06. Sight unseen from a guy in Alabama.

Wyoming County here I come.........<<grin>>

Ralph Angelo ain't cutting my hair anymore and Aces can board up the windows & doors. Tell Beth, Milt and all the rest I send my love!

[Doc]

The entire process seems like a real circle jerk. Between the Youth hunt and the rifle bill for Ontario County these guys don't apear to be able to find the FREAKIN page let alone get on it together.

I just bought another rifle yesterday, a Sako Hunter AV action, left hand in 25-06. Sight unseen from a guy in Alabama.

Wyoming County here I come.........<<grin>>

Ralph Angelo ain't cutting my hair anymore and Aces can board up the windows & doors. Tell Beth, Milt and all the rest I send my love!

Not a lot of reason to go into town anymore ..... lol.

[WNYBuckHunter]

I agree, the DEC cant get anything going lately.

Ive been down here in Honeoye for 2 years now and havent gone to Aces yet. The little ice cream joint is pretty good though.

[Lawdwaz]

I agree, the DEC cant get anything going lately.

Ive been down here in Honeoye for 2 years now and havent gone to Aces yet. The little ice cream joint is pretty good though.

I've been going to Ace's since the early 70's. Mostly Friday fish fry or breakfast, hunting season regular I guess.

I must confess...........gulp........Ralph Angelo has never cut my hair.

And NOW he NEVER will. <grin>

[WNYBuckHunter]

I am trying to make a point to get down there.

[Lawdwaz]

I am trying to make a point to get down there.

If you make it down for breakfast and only on the weekend, the eggs benedict is SUPERB!

Friday fish is the best I ever hand, no kidding.

[Lawdwaz]

Nothing wrong with the 270. Personally I'd opt for a 260 Remington if you'd like a bit more "umph" than a 243 Winchester offers. Great caliber with plenty of zip to zap any deer or bear you might bump into. No recoil and the gun, in theory, should be lighter and handier to lug around those South Bristol Hills.

I like all the short action calibers and own (for deer hunting) a 243 Win., 257 Roberts, 260 Remington, 7mm-08 and 300WSM.

Why, you ask, do I prefer a short action over a long action? One time on a deer hunt in Texas, I "short stroked" a cartridge in my 270Win. and caused a bit of a jam up in the action port. No big deal but since then I have always sought out S/A guns and calibers.

Hopefully we can mull this over MORE when the rifle bill is passed!!

Here I am telling you how much I like a s/a gun and what did I do yesterday? Buy a Sako Hunter LH 25-06, sight unseen! Crazy.............

The guy I bought it from (on another board) I do not know from Adam. It was just one of those times that it all "felt right"!

The gun/guy are both in Birmingham, Alabama.

Nervous, your damn right I am............<grin>

[Doc]

New update on the Ontario County rifle bill in the latest issue of New York Outdoor News. Apparently they are going for rifles in the entire County instead of just areas south of routes 5&20. Also it looks like 2013 is the earliest possible effectivity date. Apparently, it has already been put forth as an "county-wide" resolution approved by the Board of Supervisors.

What a fiasco!

[Lawdwaz]

Fiasco? That's putting it mildly but I'll take it!

The entire county? I understand the reason (large open fields and distant deer) but am quite surprised. The article sounded very positive and I CAN'T wait!!

I've been using the ML for the past 5-6 years almost exclusively in Ontario County and although I enjoy it immensely would gladly dump my powder for a chance to tote the rifle...........!!

[Doc]

Patience! We'll get there. Isn't it funny though that what they are after now (entire county) is exactly the same bill that sat on the governors desk the first time through when they all went into a panic and requested the governor to veto it. The language that would allow rifles in all of the county is what sent them all into a tizzy, and now that is exactly the resolution that has been sent up and the most likely to pass....lol. When was that? .... 3 years ago? We could have already had a couple seasons with a rifle by now.

[Lawdwaz]

Yes, very ironic. So very strange..........

The fact that they went back to the original plan just boggles my mind!

I picked up the new 25-06 today. It looks to be never fired and was in the original box. More choices for November of 2013!!

You may as well get yourself a rifle NOW. Maybe you could hook up with Pygmy this fall down in rifle country!!

[Doc]

You may as well get yourself a rifle NOW. Maybe you could hook up with Pygmy this fall down in rifle country!!

I'm going to hold off any purchases until I see more positive sign that it is all a done-deal. These characters have a pretty crappy track record on this issue, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if it doesn't get screwed up again....lol.