What's happening
This bill establishes the Yearling Buck Protection Program, setting minimum antler point requirements for hunting antlered deer in specific New York wildlife management units, with exemptions for hunters under seventeen.
Why it matters
Alters deer hunting practices. by requiring hunters in specified wildlife management units to only harvest bucks with a minimum number of antler points (either three or four, depending on the unit), which could significantly reduce the taking of younger, “yearling” bucks.
Aims to improve deer population health and age structure. , potentially leading to older, larger bucks, and altering the overall ecological balance and hunting experience in affected areas.
Impacts hunting regulations on both public and private lands. within the designated units, meaning landowners and all hunters in those areas must comply with the new antler point restrictions.
Creates a generational exemption. by allowing hunters under 17 to take any antlered deer, supporting youth participation and learning opportunities in hunting while still advancing herd management goals for the wider population.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Young Bucks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Protect Young Deer from Hunting
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Thomas F. O'Mara
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6802
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 17, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WOERNER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to establishing the yearling buck protection program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 11-0935 to read as follows: § 11-0935. Yearling buck protection program.
1. Definitions. a. "Antlered deer" means a deer with at least one antler measuring three inches or more in length.
b. "Wildlife management unit" means wildlife regions as demarcated by the department.
2. Restrictions and applicability. a. Any person who hunts or takes antlered deer under a valid permit or license during the bow hunting, regular and muzzleloading deer seasons is restricted to the hunting or taking of antlered deer with at least one antler with at least three points in wildlife management units 3F, 3G, 3M, 3N, 3P, 3R, 4B, 4C, 4F, 4H, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4T, 4U, 4Y, 4Z, 5R, 5S, 5T, 7M, 7P, 6A, 6G, 6H, 6C, 6K and taking of antlered deer with at least one antler with at least four points in wildlife management units 7R, 7S, 8N, 8P, 8R, 8T, 8W, 8X, 8Y, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M, 9N, 9P, 9R, 9S, 9T, 9W, 9X, 9Y, 7A, 7F, 7J, 6P, 6S, 6R, and 4A; each point must be at least one inch long measured from the main antler beam.
b. The yearling buck protection program applies to all public and private land within the wildlife management units set forth in this section.
3. Applicability. The restrictions set forth in this section shall only apply to the wildlife management units set forth in this section.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10288-03-7
A. 6802 2
4. Exemptions from requirements. Hunters under the age of seventeen are exempt from the provisions of this section and may take any deer with antler or antlers measuring three inches or more in length.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.