Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to promulgate standards authorizing hunting with a crossbow

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to authorizing persons to hunt with a crossbow

Purpose

This bill would allow the Department of Environmental Conservation to promulgate standards to allow for a legalized crossbow hunting season.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends Subdivision 2 of section 3-0301 of the environmental conservation law by allowing DEC to create standards to allow for a legalized crossbow hunting season. As well as allowing the use of a crossbow on private property during any deer hunting season. This section also defines a crossbow as a bow and string that launches a minimum fourteen inch arrow, which is mounted upon a stock with a trigger that holds the string and limbs under tension until released. All crossbows must have a working safety. The minimum limb width is defined as seventeen inches, has a minimum peak draw weight of one hundred pounds, and a maximum draw weight of two hundred pounds. It further defines that the overall length of a crossbow from butt to the stock of the limbs must be twenty-four inches.

Justification

Currently, hunting with a crossbow is not permitted in New York State except under very limited conditions relating to being almost completely physically disabled. However, a person is permitted to hunt with a longbow. In states including Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio that allow the use of crossbows, crossbows appear to be an important recruitment and retention tool for hunters. Many people start out hunting with crossbows and eventually switch to longbows or compound bows. Also, the sportsmen in these states have realized that the recruitment of additional hunters outweighs any differences over hunting tools.

The sportsmen's cause and the future of hunting is only enhanced by more people entering the ranks of active and participating sportsmen. Further, these states found that crossbow use has not resulted in a decrease in "bag limits," nor has poaching increased. As expected, where crossbow hunting is permitted, it has been documented as a safe, responsible and popular means of hunting, and it has had no ill effect on wildlife resources or on any other group of sportsmen.

Crossbow seasons also create hunting opportunities for people with disabilities, and those that cannot use a longbow or compound bow. Many people want to hunt with archery equipment, but simply are not able to physically maneuver a longbow or a compound bow - i.e. disabled persons, older persons or persons that lack the upper body muscle strength needed for longbows or compound bows. Crossbows can be used by all of these persons, affording them the opportunity they are now missing. Finally, the bill defines crossbow in accordance with the standards adopted by the American Crossbow Federation.

Legislative history

S.1333/A.5011 Referred to Environmental Conservation S.698A of 2005/2006; Referred to Environmental Conservation S.22 of 2007-2008; Referred to Environmental Conservation

Fiscal implications

Positive to the State, as there will be an increase in the number of licenses that are issued.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.