DEC ANNOUNCES NEW BIG GAME HUNTING LAWS

[papabear]

For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Lori Severino

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 (51 402-8000

DEC ANNOUNCES NEW BIG GAME HUNTING LAWS

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced two recent changes to laws affecting big game hunting this year in Cortland County and in parts of Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties. These bills were signed into law in mid-August, therefore, they are not included in the hardcopy version of the 2011-2012 New York Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide, but are reflected on the DEC website (www.dec.ny.gov) and in the electronic version of the hunting guide (www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html.)

Specifically, hunters should be aware that: In Cortland County – A new law allows the use of rifles for big game hunting in Cortland County, but does not allow the use of crossbows in this county during the regular big game season. However, crossbows may be used in Cortland County during the late muzzleloader season. See http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/35010.html for a map of where rifles, shotguns, vertical bows and crossbows can be used for big game hunting and http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html for details about hunting with crossbows and the required Certificate of Qualification. Separate legislation authorizing the use of rifles for big game hunting in Wyoming County and in the portion of Chautauqua County south of Route 20 also allows the use of crossbows during the regular big game season and late muzzleloader season in those counties.

In Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties – A new law establishes mandatory antler restrictions in the portion of Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 3A that lies south and west of State Route 28 (this includes parts of Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties). The law prohibits hunters from taking any antlered deer except those that have at least one antler with at least three points. The law applies to all public and private lands and all deer hunting seasons. Only hunters under the age of 17 are exempt and may take any antlered deer with at least one antler measuring three or more inches in length. Deer hunting regulations in all other WMUs were not affected by this legislation. See http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html for a map of deer hunting seasons including the area with mandatory antler restrictions and http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27663.html for information of antler restrictions in New York.

These laws are in effect for the 2011 hunting seasons.

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[burmjohn]

That 3A news came out a while back, not sure about the other stuff though. BTW where did this announcement come from?

[Buckstopshere]

It is a standard DEC press release, sent to all the papers, outdoor writers, etc. Burmjohn. You ought to contact Lori (see the release) and have her send the releases directly to you.

But more than these laws themselves, I think it sets a terrible and dangerous precedent...that a local county legislature, or an assemblyman or woman can change a DEC law to suit themselves for a narrow constituency.

I know the AR people are smug about it.

So they lean on a legislator to get their way. Been going on since the dawn of this republic...

But if a small, local group can ban a crossbow in a county...what is next? What if the nuts got together and tried to ban hunting all together? Local by local district. At least it is something to think about.

I hope somebody out there can convince me I am wrong and have nothing to worry about.

[G-Man]

no you are not wrong..we need the right to hunt/fish amendment to ny constitution, thus allowing for a seperate game commission. thus allowing the game commission to truly manage game and fish in ny without bowing and worring about the politicians closeing game farms/changing laws.. you realize we dont even have a hunting seaon everyyear untill they pass a law allowing it......

Edited September 1, 2011 by G-Man

[5.9cummins]

Damn multi quote - see below

Edited September 1, 2011 by 5.9cummins

[5.9cummins]

no you are not wrong..we need the right to hunt/fish amendment to ny constitution, thus allowing for a seperate game commission. thus allowing the game commission to truly manage game and fish in ny without bowing and worring about the politicians closeing game farms/changing laws.. you realize we dont even have a hunting seaon everyyear untill they pass a law allowing it......

It is a standard DEC press release, sent to all the papers, outdoor writers, etc. Burmjohn. You ought to contact Lori (see the release) and have her send the releases directly to you.

But more than these laws themselves, I think it sets a terrible and dangerous precedent...that a local county legislature, or an assemblyman or woman can change a DEC law to suit themselves for a narrow constituency.

I know the AR people are smug about it.

So they lean on a legislator to get their way. Been going on since the dawn of this republic...

But if a small, local group can ban a crossbow in a county...what is next? What if the nuts got together and tried to ban hunting all together? Local by local district. At least it is something to think about.

I hope somebody out there can convince me I am wrong and have nothing to worry about.

Ill 3rd that

Three guys from Allegany co. cant be wrong.

[papabear]

That 3A news came out a while back, not sure about the other stuff though. BTW where did this announcement come from?

I got this right from D.E.C. in a E-Mail today

papabear

[papabear]

That 3A news came out a while back, not sure about the other stuff though. BTW where did this announcement come from?

I got this right from D.E.C. in a E-Mail today

it seem's every few year's they change a few county's from shot gun to rifles. and now there adding on the three point rule.

I talked to a few guys from kingston were they started the three rule and at first were against it now they seem to think its good there deer are bigger and the racks are more .

papabear

[wdswtr]

From My understanding the crossbow not being allowed was a mistake made in the 3rd ammendmant to the rifle bill. If you followed that bill from the start you would notice there was many errors with it along the way and each ammendmant that they corrected the mistake in they made another. It was reconized as a mistake and the process to change it back is more time consuming to get the bill corrected before the hunting season takes effect. You will see the change in next years regulations that allow the crossbow during regular season if they dont have their own season by then. Part of this was from nonhunters making hunting laws that have no idea what they are talking about let alone catch a mistake they wouldnt even know was made. What I dont understand is why the DEC does or did not read the ammendmant before it was set out to be signed by the governour. By the way anyone can receive these email notifications from the DEC you just need to contact them and sign up to receive them.

[Buckstopshere]

Mistakes? Mistakes?!!!! Should our fish and game laws...hunting and fishing seasons be changed and changed again by local legislators, depending on which way the political winds blow today?

Can you imagine the quote" Mistakes" that are going to happen as county legislators, or village and city "officials" start getting on their high horses and begin making laws for their own little backyards...and wait until a town government passes a "No hunting in our town" law!

There needs to be legislative barriers put into place so that fish and game laws in New York can't be changed on whims of a vocal minority.

If not...get ready for more..."Mistakes."

[A Sportsman]

Hey Fellas,

I happen to hunt this portion of 3A where the AR is now in effect. As I've detailed in the Deer Hunting Forum, I am vehemently opposed to this new regulation for this area. I am even more angry about the way it came about. It is absolutely mindboggling that these types of laws could be passed without DEC input. That needs to change.

The other issue is "How could they change the regulation this close to the season..after many people already bought their licenses?" There are many folks out there who don't go to internet hunting sites and may not happen to come across the information. State ECOs will now have to enforce this regulation knowing full well that a responsible hunter may not have known that the regulations changed. This tells us that these politicians did not even consult with the DEC in setting up a date for the new regs to go into effect.

On the surface, these are relatively minor changes that many guys may even like, but ideologically this is some scary stuff.