What's happening
This bill allows seniors and certain physically disabled individuals to hunt deer and bear with crossbows during special longbow seasons.
Why it matters
Expands hunting access for older adults and certain physically disabled individuals. , allowing them to participate in deer and bear hunting during longbow-only seasons using crossbows—a potentially safer and more manageable option for those with limited physical strength or mobility.
Creates a new "special crossbow privilege". that must be added to a hunting license, which specifically distinguishes eligible individuals (age 62+, or 14+ and physically disabled) from general longbow hunters and sets out age-appropriate safety and supervision rules.
May increase inclusivity and participation in hunting activities. , giving seniors and disabled persons a more practical way to engage in outdoor recreation and traditional hunting practices, which can have social, mental health, and community benefits.
Could result in changes to wildlife management and hunter education. , as the Department of Environmental Conservation will need to define physical disability criteria, issue new privileges, and possibly update educational materials to accommodate this expanded access.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Seniors Use Crossbows
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 127
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8721
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
October 5, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. STIRPE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to allowing for the hunting with crossbows by certain people during a special longbow hunting season
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 11-0701 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
10. A special crossbow privilege when included on a hunting license entitles a holder who is sixty-two years of age or older, fourteen years of age or older and physically disabled to a certain degree, as such term is defined by regulation, or both to hunt wild deer and bear with a crossbow, as provided in title 9 of this article, in a special long bow season as if they were hunting with a longbow and a bowhunting privilege on a hunting license issued under subdivision 3 of this section. The special crossbow privilege for those under the age of eighteen shall be subject to the same provisions of section 11-0929 and section 11-0713 of this article based on their age as if it was a bowhunting privilege.
§ 2. Paragraph b of subdivision 6 of section 11-0703 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 2 of part R of chapter 58 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
b. Except as provided in section 11-0707 and section 11-0709 of this title, no person shall (1) hunt wild deer or bear unless such person holds and is entitled to exercise the privileges of a hunting license, and meets the requirements of this article; (2) hunt wild deer or bear with a longbow or crossbow in a special longbow season unless such person holds and is entitled to exercise the privileges of a hunting license with a bowhunting privilege or a special crossbow privilege, respectively, and meets the requirements of this article; or (3) hunt wild deer or bear with a muzzle-loading firearm in a special muzzle-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13490-01-7
A. 8721 2
loading firearm season unless such person is at least fourteen years old and holds a hunting license with a muzzle-loading privilege and meets the requirements of this article.
§ 3. Subdivision 13 of section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 23 of part R of chapter 58 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
13. Persons engaged in hunting deer and/or bear with a longbow must possess a current bowhunting privilege or a valid certificate of qualification in responsible bowhunting practices issued or honored by the department. Persons engaged in hunting deer and/or bear with a crossbow during the special longbow season but not during the special muzzleloading firearm season or regular season must possess a current special crossbow privilege.
§ 4. 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.