Issues: Hunting and Fishing

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle today applauded the New York State Supreme Court decision striking down a law that requires recreational anglers to obtain a fishing license to fish town waters.

The towns of East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island, Brookhaven, Southold, Huntington and Oyster Bay challenged the law as encroaching on their individual authority to regulate their waters. The law required any angler older than 16 to get a $10 license. The court’s decision applies only to the towns that filed suit.

“I voted against this measure when it was part of the 2009 budget and am happy it has been struck down,” Senator LaValle said.

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) announced that the 2010-2011 Fish and Game brochure, a convenient guide containing important information on fishing and hunting in New York State, is now available online by going to http://larkin.nysenate.gov.

"Each year, dozens of people call my offices because they either never received this brochure or because they want additional copies for their friends and family," said Senator Larkin. "Now, instead of waiting for what they need in the mail, these individuals and anyone else can just go to my website and print out, or simply review, the information they are after."

ALBANY, N.Y.— Legislation sponsored by David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) allowing crossbows to be used during hunting season was signed into law by Governor David Paterson.

"Expanding New York’s hunting regulations to include crossbows will expand Upstate’s economic opportunities,” said Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida). “It will provide increased revenue to the state and our local communities through licensing and will also draw in out of state hunters looking to experience hunting in New York.”

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Legislation sponsored by State Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) allowing the Department of Conservation to assign personal identification numbers to trappers (S.2622) has been signed into law. 

“This legislation will enable the DEC to protect the public, while at the same time protecting trappers’ private information,” said Senator Valesky.

The new law will allow trappers to substitute personal information with an identification number assigned by the DEC. Currently, the Department of Environmental Conservation requires that all traps must display trappers’ names and addresses. The ID number will be traceable only by police and the DEC.

ALBANY, N.Y.— Legislation sponsored by David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) allowing crossbows to be used during hunting season passed the New York State Senate.

"Hunting in Upstate New York is a time honored tradition that thousands of New Yorkers enjoy each year,” said Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida). “Expanding hunting to include crossbows will enhance the opportunities available for sportsmen and women and will provide increased revenue to the state and our communities from licensing and tourism.”

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle today announced that legislation he sponsored to protect the permits of commercial fishermen with large boats has passed both houses.  The Senator’s initiative would exempt certain commercial fishermen from having to comply with a 1997 statute that limited the length of commercial fishing vessels.

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle today announced that the Senate has passed a measure he supported that would repeal the recreational saltwater fishing license fee created in the 2009 budget.  The bill keeps New York in compliance with federal law by creating a registry in lieu of requiring individuals to purchase a license.

“As Chair of the committee that oversees the State Park system and living museums, I am thrilled that Governor Paterson and the Legislature have worked out a plan that will keep our parks open in time for Memorial Day weekend, and will allow us to enjoy all that our zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums have to offer in advance of the summer season.”