Increases the age at which a person is allowed to hunt to eighteen

4 Co-sponsors

• Shirley L. Huntley
• Bill Perkins
• José M. Serrano
• Toby Ann Stavisky

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to increasing the age at which a person is allowed to hunt

Purpose

Increases the age at which a person is allowed to hunt

Summary of provisions

Raises the age for junior hunting licensees, from 12-14 years of age to 14-16, to be permitted to hunt in New York if accompanied by a parent, guardian or relative over the age of 23 instead of the current 21.

Raises the junior archery license age from 14-16 to 16-18 years and requires all archers under age 20 be accompanied by a parent, guardian or relative while hunting.

Raises the age from 16 to 18 to be the minimum age to receive a wildlife hunting license and requires all wildlife hunters under age 20 to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or relative while hunting certain wildlife.

Raises the age from 16-18 years of age to 18-20 to be the minimum hunting age for big game and requires all wildlife hunters under age 20 to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or relative while hunting.

These limitations restrict the types of hunting for children including the taking of deer or bear via archery, muzzle loading, rifle or handgun, and fish permitted to be taken with a gun or longbow.

Justification

In the wake of numerous tragic killings by firearms of parents, school children and teachers by children, the Legislature continues to remain concerned about arming children. Over the years, many people have been killed or wounded by children with guns, and many of the firearms were hunting weapons. Society has acknowledged in many critical areas that children must reach a level of maturity before they are legally permitted to act; drinking alcohol, and most recently, driving are examples of laws which the legal age has increased, rather than decrease. This thought process continues that, until such maturity had been gained, the hunting age should also be increased.

Currently, a 12 year old child is permitted to hunt small animals with guns or bow and "big game" with bow only. The Department of conservation (DEC) writes that the average age of the hunter who shoots another individual hunter is 42 years old with 24 years of hunting experience. This places mothers and fathers who hunt with a child as the most probable person to accidentally kill or injure their own child during hunting.

Recent proposals to decrease the hunting age limit is not intended solely to introduce youngsters to this sport. Rather the desire is purely to raise money from the purchase of hunting licenses. Increases in revenue are needed to maintain the multimillion dollar state fund for fish and wildlife programs.

Much of the illegal shooting in the state is done by youngsters. Children need love, positive role models, food, shelter and education. Government should not be in the position of promoting and placing firearms in the hands of children.

Fiscal implications

Negligible. EFFECTIVE DATE : October 1, 2010.