What's happening
This bill eliminates the requirement for hunters in New York to wear back tags during hunting season.
Why it matters
Removes a longstanding identification method for hunters. Eliminating the back tag requirement means hunters will no longer be visually identifiable by a number from a distance, which could impact enforcement and accountability in the field.
Streamlines hunter compliance. Hunters are still required to carry their license and show it on demand, but the removal of the back tag simplifies what hunters must wear, potentially reducing confusion and unintentional violations.
Changes how hunting violations might be reported. Without visible back tags, it may become harder for landowners, law enforcement, or other hunters to identify individuals suspected of violating hunting laws or trespassing, possibly affecting reporting and enforcement.
Reflects regional consistency and hunter feedback. The exemption previously existed in certain regions (Northern Zone, Catskill Park); this bill extends that statewide, potentially responding to hunters’ concerns about practicality, comfort, or safety related to wearing back tags.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Hunter Back Tag Rule
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 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.
End Hunter Back Tag Rule
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Patrick M. Gallivan
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2049
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, DiPIETRO, B. MILLER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to eliminating the requirement that hunters wear back tags during hunting season in the state; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 11-0705 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 21 of part R of chapter 58 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows: § 11-0705. Failure to carry license, tag or bowhunting and/or muzzle-
loading privileges.
1. a. The holder of a license, tag, bowhunting privilege or muzzleloading privilege defined in section 11-0701 of this title shall:
(1) have such license, tag or privilege on the holder's person while exercising any privilege of that license stated in section 11-0701 of this title, or while assisting or accompanying a minor in hunting as provided in section 11-0929 of this article, and
(2) shall exhibit it on demand to any police officer, peace officer or owner, lessee or person in control of the lands or waters or the designees of the owner, lessee or person in control of the lands or waters on which the license holder is present.
2. [a. Holders of a hunting license while exercising the privileges of such license, shall have the back tag issued with their license attached to and displayed on the back of the outer garment between the shoulders in such manner that all figures are plainly visible at all times.
b. The license tag for the current year only shall be displayed.
c. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs a and b of this subdivision, a license holder shall not be required to display such license tag in the Northern Zone or the Catskill Park.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00723-01-9
A. 2049 2
3.] Failure of a licensee to have the holder's license, tag or license with bowhunting and/or muzzle-loading privilege included, on the holder's person while hunting, fishing or trapping, is presumptive evidence that the holder is hunting, fishing or trapping, as the case may be, without holding the license, tag or license and bowhunting or muzzleloading privilege required by subdivision 6 of section 11-0703 of this title.
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 71-0923 of the environmental conservation law is REPEALED.
§ 3. 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.