Bill > S07415

This bill amends the New York environmental conservation law to allow hunters who are 60 years of age or older to hunt deer using a crossbow during a special archery season. Specifically, the legislation adds a new provision to existing hunting regulations that permits individuals in this age group to use a crossbow for deer hunting, subject to regulations to be developed by the state's environmental conservation department. The department will be required to establish rules for this new hunting privilege and create documentation requirements to verify a hunter's age eligibility. The bill will take effect on June 1, 2026, which gives the department time to develop the necessary regulations. A crossbow is a type of archery weapon that uses a horizontal bow-like mechanism to shoot projectiles, and this bill expands hunting access for older hunters by providing them with an additional method to hunt deer during a specialized archery season.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7415