Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I-59th District) announced today that legislation permitting sportsmen to use rifles when hunting big game in Wyoming County has become law. The bill (S. 2385) passed the Senate in March with unanimous support and was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo late Wednesday night.
“Hunting large game by rifle is legally practiced across much of New York but until now has been unavailable to Wyoming County’s sportsmen. This law ensures that Wyoming County will continue to be a top destination for hunters and outdoor enthusiast, bolstering the County’s economy and enhancing its growing tourism industry,” Gallivan said.
The taking of deer and bear with a rifle is permitted in over 30 counties across New York State, including in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties directly to the south of Wyoming County.
“Hunters, anglers, trappers and shooters are an important constituency in Wyoming County and across New York. The local sportsmen’s community has been pushing for this change in local hunting regulations for some time and I am extremely proud to have delivered it this session,” said Gallivan.
Regular big game hunting season in the southern region of New York, which includes Wyoming County and all of Western New York, is scheduled to begin on November 19th. The new law will take effect immediately, ensuring rifle hunting will be in place by opening day.
Legislation adding Wyoming County to the list of counties that permit the taking of big game with rifles has been advanced in prior legislative sessions, but failed to garner the necessary support in both houses of the state legislature. “Passing this legislation and having the Governor sign it is just another small example that the state is turning itself around, ending its years of dysfunction, and embracing a new sense of common purpose and mutual cooperation,” concluded Gallivan.
