Relates to management of wildlife resources

1 Co-sponsor

• Carl L. Marcellino

BILL NUMBER:S287

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to management of wildlife resources

Purpose

To amend several sections of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) to simplify, clarify and eliminate inconsistencies relating to management of pheasants and quails.

Summary of specific provisions

This legislation would allow the Department to set the open season and bag limits for the taking of pheasants and quails on Long Island annually by regulation, as it currently does for those species in the rest of the State. Under current law the open season and bag limits for pheasants and quail on Long Island are set in statute. In addition, this legislation eliminates the need to obtain an immediate release permit for the liberation of ring-neck pheasants between August 16 and April 15.

Justification

Season bag limits for pheasant and quail are still specified for certain portions of the State. This law is difficult to enforce and not needed given the widespread understanding and satisfaction with statewide daily bag limits.

At the present time, an immediate release permit is required to purchase and release ring-neck pheasants without holding them in captivity. This is a common activity for many individuals and clubs and the permit serves no value except to create an additional, unneeded step in the process for legitimate sportsmen. It is often a low priority for the ECOs to issue this permit and at times can result in needless delay. The August 16 to April 15 period provided in this bill is consistent with the period in which dogs may be taken afield for training on wild game.

Prior legislative history

Passed Senate every year from 2000-2008 S.842 of 2009/10 Referred to Environmental Conservation S.2650A Passed Senate in 2011

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This bill shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.