What's happening
This bill expands crossbow hunting rights in New York by lowering the minimum age and removing certain equipment and location restrictions.
Why it matters
Lowers the minimum age for crossbow hunting for small game and upland game birds from 14 to 12. , aligning it with other types of hunting and increasing youth access to crossbow hunting opportunities.
Removes restrictions on where crossbows can be used for small game hunting. , allowing their use in all areas open to small game hunting rather than limiting them to specific zones where shotguns or muzzleloaders are allowed. This broadens access for crossbow hunters and may impact local game populations and hunter distribution.
Standardizes equipment and proximity regulations. , such as reducing the minimum required distance for discharging a crossbow near dwellings from 200 to 150 feet, making it consistent with longbow rules. This could affect safety considerations and neighbor relations in rural and suburban areas.
Simplifies and clarifies crossbow definitions and requirements. by removing outdated technical specifications (like maximum draw weight and limb width), giving the Department of Environmental Conservation more authority to regulate crossbow use through updated regulations rather than statute. This allows for more responsive management as technology and best practices evolve.
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Headline styles
Expand Crossbow Hunting Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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.
Expand Crossbow Hunting Access
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
4 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
538
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. GALLIVAN, GRIFFO, HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to crossbows; 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. Paragraph a of subdivision 1, the closing paragraph of paragraph a of subdivision 2, paragraphs 1 and 2 of subdivision 3, subdivision 5 and subdivision 9 of section 11-0701 of the environmental conservation law, paragraph a of subdivision 1 as amended by section 21 and subdivision 9 as amended by section 17 of part EE of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, the closing paragraph of paragraph a of subdivision 2, paragraphs 1 and 2 of subdivision 3 and subdivision 5 as amended by section 1-a of part R of chapter 58 of the laws of 2013, are amended to read as follows:
a. entitles a holder who is twelve or thirteen years of age to hunt wildlife, except big game, as provided in title 9 of this article subject, specifically, to the provisions of section 11-0929 of this article. It entitles such holder to possess firearms as provided in section 265.05 of the penal law. [A holder who is twelve or thirteen years of age shall not hunt with a crossbow.]
A holder may take fish with a longbow or crossbow as provided in titles 9 and 13 of this article.
(1) who is between the ages of twelve and sixteen years to hunt wild deer and bear with a longbow or crossbow during the special archery season and during the regular season, as provided in title 9 of this article, subject to the provisions of section 11-0929 and subdivision 3 of section 11-0713 of this article;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00667-01-9
S. 538 2
(2) who is eighteen years of age or older to hunt wild deer and bear with a longbow or crossbow, as provided in title 9 of this article, in a special [longbow] archery season; and
5. A non-resident bear tag entitles a person who has not been a resident of the state for more than thirty days who also possesses a hunting license to hunt bear during the regular open season therefor or in an open season fixed by regulation pursuant to subdivision eight of section 11-0903 of this article. It entitles a non-resident holder who also possesses a hunting license with bowhunting privilege to hunt bear with a longbow or crossbow during the open bear season. It entitles a non-resident holder who also possesses a hunting license with muzzle-loading privilege to hunt bear with a muzzleloader during the open bear season.
9. A muzzle-loading privilege when included on a hunting license entitles a holder who is fourteen years of age or older to hunt wild deer and bear with a muzzle-loading firearm [or crossbow], as provided in title 9 of this article, in a special muzzle-loading firearm season.
§ 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] archery season unless such person holds and is entitled to exercise the privileges of a hunting license with a bowhunting privilege and meets the requirements of this article; or (3) hunt wild deer or bear with a muzzle-loading firearm in a special muzzle-loading firearm season unless such person is at least fourteen years old and holds a hunting license with a muzzleloading privilege and meets the requirements of this article.
§ 3. Subdivision 6 of section 11-0713 of the environmental conservation law is REPEALED.
§ 4. Subparagraph 3 of paragraph c of subdivision 3 of section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law is REPEALED.
§ 5. Paragraph c of subdivision 3 of section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 19 of part EE of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
c. Wild small game and wild upland game birds shall be taken only by longbow, crossbow or gun, or by the use of raptors as provided in title 10 of this article, except that:
(1) skunk, raccoon, bobcat, coyote, fox, mink and muskrat may be taken in any manner not prohibited in this section or in title 11 of the Fish and Wildlife Law; and
(2) frogs may also be taken by spearing, catching with the hands, or by the use of a club or hook[; and].
§ 6. Subparagraph 9 of paragraph b and subparagraph 9 of paragraph c of subdivision 4 of section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law, subparagraph 9 of paragraph b as added by section 6 and subparagraph 9 of paragraph c as added by section 7 of part EE of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, are amended to read as follows:
(9) with a crossbow unless such crossbow shall consist of a bow and string, either compound or recurve, that launches a minimum fourteen inch [bolt] arrow, not including point, mounted upon a stock with a trigger that holds the string and limbs under tension until released. The trigger unit of such crossbow must have a working safety. The [minimum limb width of such crossbow shall be seventeen inches, have a] mini-
S. 538 3
mum peak draw weight [of] shall be one hundred pounds [and a maximum peak draw weight of two hundred pounds]. The minimum overall length of such crossbow from buttstock to front of limbs shall be twenty-four inches.
(9) with a crossbow unless such crossbow shall consist of a bow and string, either compound or recurve, that launches a minimum fourteen inch [bolt] arrow, not including point, mounted upon a stock with a trigger that holds the string and limbs under tension until released. The trigger unit of such crossbow must have a working safety. The [minimum limb width of such crossbow shall be seventeen inches, have a] minimum peak draw weight [of] shall be one hundred pounds [and a maximum peak draw weight of two hundred pounds]. The minimum overall length of such crossbow from buttstock to front of limbs shall be twenty-four inches.
§ 7. 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 or a crossbow must possess a current bowhunting privilege or a valid certificate of qualification in responsible bowhunting practices issued or honored by the department.
§ 8. Subdivisions 11 and 16 of section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law are REPEALED.
§ 9. Section 11-0903 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 12 to read as follows:
12. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this article, the department is authorized to adopt regulations which authorize the taking of wildlife by the use of crossbow. A summary of regulations adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall be published each year in the hunting syllabus issued pursuant to section 11-0323 of this article.
§ 10. Subdivision 10 of section 11-0907 of the environmental conservation law is REPEALED.
§ 11. Subdivision 1 of section 11-0929 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 20 of part EE of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
1. A licensee who is twelve or thirteen years of age shall not hunt wildlife with a gun, crossbow or a longbow unless he or she is accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian, or by a person twenty-one years of age or older designated in writing by his or her parent or legal guardian on a form prescribed by the department, who holds a hunting license. [A licensee who is twelve or thirteen years of age shall not hunt with a crossbow.]
§ 12. Subparagraph 5 of paragraph b of subdivision 2 of section 11-0929 of the environmental conservation law is REPEALED and subparagraph 6 is renumbered subparagraph 5.
§ 13. Subparagraph 2 of paragraph a and subparagraph 1 of paragraph b of subdivision 4 of section 11-0931 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 8 of part EE of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, are amended to read as follows:
(2) discharge a firearm within five hundred feet, a long bow within one hundred fifty feet, or a crossbow within [two] one hundred fifty feet from a dwelling house, farm building or farm structure actually occupied or used, school building, school playground, public structure, or occupied factory or church;
(1) The owner or lessee of the dwelling house, or members of his immediate family actually residing therein, or a person in his employ, or
S. 538 4
the guest of the owner or lessee of the dwelling house acting with the consent of said owner or lessee, provided however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize such persons to discharge a firearm within five hundred feet, a long bow within one hundred fifty feet, or a crossbow within [two] one hundred fifty feet of any other dwelling house, or a farm building or farm structure actually occupied or used, or a school building or playground, public structure, or occupied factory or church;
§ 14. Section 11-0933 of the environmental conservation law, as added by section 22 of part EE of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows: § 11-0933. Taking small game by crossbow.
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, or any prior notwithstanding language in this article, the department may, by regulation, authorize the taking of small game and wild upland game birds by the use of a crossbow by any licensed person [fourteen] twelve years of age or older, in any small game season[, in any area designated in items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (i), (k), and (l) of paragraph a of subdivision two of section 11-0907 of this title in which a shotgun or muzzle loader is permitted].
§ 15. 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 crossbows; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto
Purpose
To clarify that the taking of deer, bear, small game, fish and wild upland game birds by crossbow is akin to the taking of such game by a longbow; removes restrictions related to the maximum peak draw weight and minimum limb width; establishes parity in relation to the minimum distance with which a crossbow could be discharged from an occupied structure consistent with that of a longbow; clarifies use of a crossbow in relation to the hunter safety course be presented as part of the bow hunter education course; and permits the use of a crossbow by youth hunters 12 and 13 years of age.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 - amends ECL 11-0701 to permit the taking of fish by crossbow; removes language prohibiting the use of a crossbow by 12 and 13 year olds in relation to the holder of a hunting license with a bow hunting privilege; codifies that a crossbow be included within the bow hunting privilege on a hunting license which authorizes the taking of wild deer or bear; permits a non-resident to hunt bear with a crossbow so long as the non-resident holder also possesses a hunting license with a bow hunting privilege; removes the term crossbow from language governing a muzzle-loading privilege.
Read the full memo (888 words)
Section 2 - amends ECL 11-0703 to codify that the hunting of deer and bear by crossbow be included with long bows regarding the special arch- ery season.
Section 3 - repeals ECL 11-0713 subdivision 6, which requires training in the safe use of hunting with a crossbow as part of the basic hunter education course for new hunters.
Sections 4 and 5 - amends ECL 11-0901 to permit the use of crossbows to take wild game and wild upland birds and remove the provision that crossbows may be used only by those 14 years of age and older.
Sections 6 and 7 - amends ECL 11-0901 to remove the maximum peak draw weight requirement of 200 pounds in relation to the use of a crossbow and minimum limb width of such crossbow to be seventeen inches for both the taking of deer and bear. Codifies the taking of deer and bear with a crossbow within the provision related to the possession of a bow hunting privilege.
Section 8 - repeals ECL 11-0901 subdivisions 11 and 16 restricting the carrying of a longbow afield which is equipped with a mechanical device used to draw, hold or release the bow string or arrow and the issuance of a permit to take big game or small game by use of crossbow equipped with an apparatus which releases the bowstring by means of such person's breath, respectively.
Section 9 - amends ECL 11-0903 to permit DEC to promulgate regulations on the taking of wildlife by the use of a crossbow. The summary of such regulations must be published annually in the hunting syllabus.
Section 10 - repeals ECL 11-0907 subdivision 10, which provided for a limited crossbow season.
Section 11 - amends ECL 11-0929 to permit 12 and 13 year olds to hunt with a crossbow so long as they are supervised by a parent or legal guardian, or by a person 21 years of age or older who is designated by the parent or guardian and holds a hunting license.
Section 12 - amends ECL 11-0929 removes the provision that the minor hunter and his or her chaperone remain at ground level while hunting.
Section 13 - amends ECL 11-0931 to reduce, in relation to the discharge of a crossbow in proximity to a dwelling or generally occupied struc- ture, from 200 feet to 150 feet.
Section 14 - amends ECL 11-0933 to permit the use of a crossbow, for the taking of small game and wild upland game birds, to include any licensed person ages 12 and older. Makes a technical change to remove references to the use of a crossbow in areas where shotgun or muzzle loaders are permitted.
Section 15 - sets forth an immediate effective date.
Justification
Crossbow hunting in New York State has proven to be a safe and effective option for many hunters since their use was first authorized in 2014. Unfortunately, for crossbow users the hunting season has been adversely impacted due to the current statutory restrictions which do not recog- nize the correlation of the crossbow with that of conventional bows.
The crossbow contains limbs and strings which are used to propel an arrow, the same as that of a compound bow and long bow. Importantly, the Federal government, via the Internal Revenue Service, has classified crossbows, accessories attached to them and their arrows as archery equipment subject to the archery excise tax.
This legislation rightfully identifies hunters' use of a crossbow to be in sync with the privileges afforded to those which hunt with a conven- tional bow, thereby providing for additional hunting opportunities which will ultimately help properly manage wildlife populations and stimulate the economy of our great State.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.1386a/A.479a Advanced to 3rd reading/Referred to Environ- mental Conservation 2015-16: 5.7005/A.9623 Referred to Environmental Conservation (both houses)
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.