Bill > A07146

This bill establishes a deer management pilot program specifically for the Town of Huntington, New York, that allows the Department of Environmental Conservation to issue special deer cull permits to qualified "nuisance wildlife specialists" under specific conditions. The bill defines nuisance wildlife specialists as government employees or contractors who must meet strict criteria, including marksmanship qualifications, liability insurance, permit documentation, and reporting requirements. The department can issue a permit if the Town of Huntington demonstrates that deer have become a nuisance, destructive to property, or a threat to public health. Each permit application must include detailed requirements such as timeframes, a site-specific management plan, geographic area description, and a contract with the town. The bill also modifies existing environmental conservation laws to accommodate these new provisions, allowing nuisance wildlife specialists more flexibility in deer management activities like using salt licks, enticing deer, and discharging firearms near residential areas with proper notifications and consent. Additionally, the Department of Environmental Conservation is required to prepare a report examining the program's effectiveness after two and a half years, which will be submitted to state leadership and published online. The pilot program is set to expire three years after its implementation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7146