Bill > S03191

This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law in relation to hunting and hunting licenses. The key provisions include: 1. Allowing 12- and 13-year-old holders of a hunting license to hunt wildlife, except big game, with a crossbow, in addition to a longbow. It also allows those aged 16-17 and 55+ or physically unable to use a longbow to hunt deer and bear with a crossbow. 2. Permitting the use of crossbows for hunting small game and wild upland game birds, in addition to longbows and guns. The Department of Environmental Conservation is authorized to adopt regulations to authorize the taking of wildlife by crossbow. 3. Modifying the restrictions on discharging firearms, longbows, and crossbows near certain structures, reducing the minimum distance for crossbows from 200 feet to 150 feet. 4. Removing age restrictions for using crossbows to take small game and wild upland game birds.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S3191