Syracuse.com - Newly formed New York Crossbow Coalition schedules upcoming town hall meeting

[HuntingNY-News]

The group is hosting a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. April 27 at the Crossroads Auction House, Route 37 in Central Square. The group is intent on seeing crossbows in all seasons and areas where “archery equipment” is permitted.

The state’s hunting regulations allowing the use of crossbows to hunt big game (deer and bear) during the regular firearms season in the fall expires at the end of this year.

Crossbow advocates and opponents alike are already posturing for what’s to follow.

The New York Bowhunters has made it clear they oppose allowing the use of crossbows during the regular bowhunting season, and remain committed to that stance.

Meanwhile, a new grassroots group has emerged, New York Crossbow Coalition, which is intent on seeing crossbows in all seasons and areas where “archery equipment” is permitted. Currently, the DEC considers the crossbow “a firearm.”

However, the Archery Trade Association, which represents the manufacturers of archery equipment, consider crossbows “archery equipment,” as does the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, noted Rick McDermott, of Pulaski. McDermott is the founder and president of the New York Crossbow Coalition.

McDermott said the group is hosting a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. April 27 at the Crossroads Auction House, Route 37 in Central Square.

“Members of the sporting community, state legislators and DEC staff have been invited,” he said.

For further information, call 882-1540 or go to the group's Web site..

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog