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

Section two amends Paragraph d of subdivision 4 of section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 600 of the laws of 1993.

Section three amends subdivision 2 of section 11-0931 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 50 of part F of chapter 82 of the laws of 2002.

Section four amends subdivision 15 of section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 81 of the laws of 1988.

Section five amends section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law adding a new subdivision 17.

Section six amends subdivision 11 of section 11-0701 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 344 of the laws of 2008.

Section seven amends subdivision 14 of section 11-0701 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 16 of part F of chapter 82 of the laws of 2002.

Section eight amends paragraph g of subdivision 7 of section 11-0903 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 143 of the laws of 1982.

Section nine amends Paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 11-0907 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 37 of part F of chapter 82 of the laws of 2002.

Section ten amends Paragraphs a and b of subdivision 8 of section 11-0907 of the environmental conservation law, paragraph a as amended by section 45 of part F of chapter 82 of the laws of 2002 and paragraph b as amended by chapter 241 of the laws of 1997.

Section eleven amends paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 11-0907 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 600 of the laws of 1993, item (b) as amended by chapter 600 of the laws of 2005, items (d) and (f) as separately amended by chapter 600 of the laws of 2005 and chapter 108 of the laws of 1995, and item (i) as amended by chapter 441 of the laws of 2009.

Section twelve amends paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 11-0907 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 95 of the laws of 1974, the opening paragraph as amended by chapter 11 of the laws of 1988, column 2 of item a as amended by chapter 344 of the laws of 1979, items (b), (d) and (f) as amended and item (i) as added by chapter 600 of the laws of 2005, column 2 of item (g) as amended by chapter 92 of the laws of 1980, item (h) as added by chapter 643 of the laws of 1977, column 2 of item (h) as amended by chapter 332 of the laws of 1986.

Section thirteen amends subdivision 4 of section 11-0931 of the environmental conservation law, subparagraph 3 of paragraph a as added by chapter 400 of the laws of 1973 and subparagraph 4 of paragraph a as added by chapter 67 of the laws of 1976.

Section fourteen amends paragraph c of subdivision 5 of section 11-0931 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 309 of the laws of 2006.

Section fifteen amends subdivision 6 of section 11-0931 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 97 of the laws of 1978.

Section sixteen amends section 11-0713 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6.

Section seventeen provides for the effective date.

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 long- bow. 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 how. 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.

Prior legislative history

S.1333/A.5011 Referred to Environmental Conservation 2005/2006; Referred to Environmental Conservation 2007-2008; .22/A8654 Referred to Environmental Conservation

Fiscal implication

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 October 1, 2010, except that sections our and five of this act shall take effect February 1, 2011, provided that any rules or regulations necessary for the timely implementation of the provisions of this act on its effective date shall be promulgated on or before February 1, 2011 and provided further that this act shall expire on December 31, 2012 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed; provided, however, that the amendments to paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 11-0907 of the environmental conservation law made by section eleven of this act shall be subject to the expiration and reversion of such paragraph pursuant to section 13 of chapter 600 of the laws of 1993, as amended, when upon such date the provisions of section twelve of this act shall take effect.