Syracuse.com - Crossbow hunting bill now filed in the state Senate

[HuntingNY-News]

As it stands now, the use of crossbows to hunt game is not allowed at all and the Columbus Day weekend youth firearms hunt, which occurs during the regular bow hunting season, is still a go.

A crossbow hunting bill that mirrors one recently filed in the state Assembly was filed recently by Sen. Patrick Gallivan, R-Elma, in the state Assembly.

The bill is S1699. Like legislation submitted by Assemblyman Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, (A00283), it would give the DEC authority to regulate where, when and how they should be used.

A late session veto in December by Gov. Andrew Cuomo killed a crossbow bill authored by Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, D-Lindenhurst. Sweeney’s bill would have continued crossbow regulations that expired Dec. 31 for another two years.

The Sweeney bill, supported by New York Bowhunters, a bow-hunting advocacy group, would have again only allowed use of crossbows to hunt big game (deer and bear) during the regular firearms and late muzzleloading seasons – not during the regular bowhunting season. It would have also eliminated the Columbus Day weekend youth firearms hunt for deer, which occurred this past fall for the first time.

As it stands now, the use of crossbows to hunt game is not allowed at all and the Columbus Day weekend youth firearms hunt, which occurs during the regular bow hunting season, is still a go.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has not taken a position on the issue.

“The DEC does not comment on legislation,” said Lisa King, a DEC spokesperson.

Stay tuned.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog