What's happening
This bill creates a yearling buck protection program restricting which antlered deer can be hunted in specified New York wildlife units.
Why it matters
Aims to increase the survival rate of young male deer ("yearling bucks"). by restricting hunters to only taking mature antlered deer (with a minimum number of antler points) in specified wildlife management units, potentially leading to an older, healthier buck population.
Creates varying antler point minimums by region. some units require at least three points on one antler, while others require four—reflecting regional differences in deer populations and management goals, and possibly affecting hunter success rates differently across the state.
Applies these restrictions to both public and private lands. , thus ensuring comprehensive management and minimizing loopholes that could undermine the program’s intended effects on deer populations.
Exempts hunters under age 17 from the new restrictions. , allowing youth hunters to continue harvesting any antlered deer, which could support youth engagement in hunting traditions while focusing conservation efforts on adult hunters.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Young Deer from Hunting
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Print number 4739a
- Amend and recommit 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 Bucks
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Carrie Woerner
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4739--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 27, 2017
Introduced by Sens. O'MARA, AMEDORE, DeFRANCISCO, FUNKE, LARKIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
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.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10288-02-7
S. 4739--A 2
3. Applicability. The restrictions set forth in this section shall only apply to the wildlife management units set forth in this section.
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to establishing the yearling buck protection program
Purpose or general idea of bill
To expand the yearling buck protection program, currently undertaken in parts of Sullivan, Ulster, and Orange Counties, to additional Wildlife Management Units in New York.
Summary of specific provisions
The legislation restricts persons who hunt or take deer under a valid permit or license during bow hunting or regular and muzzle loading deer seasons to the taking of antlered deer with at least one antler with at least three points in certain wildlife management regions.
Additionally, the legislation restricts persons who hunt or take deer under a valid permit or license during bow hunting or regular and muzzle loading deer seasons to the taking of antlered deer with at least one antler with at least four points.
Justification
New York has the highest yearling buck harvest rate in the nation (even when averaged with the existing Yearling Buck Protection areas) and as a result the second lowest 3.5 year old harvest in the nation. This results in the majority of hunters being dissatisfied with their buck hunting experience. The DEC 2006 survey found that 40.3%- 56% of hunters were dissatisfied with their buck hunting experience and a decade later only 41% of hunters were moderately or very satisfied with opportunities to take an adult buck.
New York has a very successful yearling buck antler restriction program in several wildlife management units. Due to the success of this program, the yearling buck antler restriction program should be implemented in additional regions.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.