S. 5301 2
ing as amended and paragraph b of subdivision 2 as added by chapter 600
of the laws of 1993, are amended to read as follows:
Regular BIG GAME HUNTING seasons.
b. IMPLEMENTS. WHERE TAKING OF BIG GAME BY SHOTGUN IS PERMITTED BY
THIS CHAPTER SUCH SHOTGUN MAY CONTAIN RIFLING IN ALL OR A PORTION OF THE
BARREL, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, IF THE BARREL OR A PORTION THEREOF DOES
CONTAIN RIFLING ONLY SHELLS HAVING NON-METALLIC CASES, EXCEPT FOR THE
BASE, MAY BE USED.
(1) DEER AND BEAR MAY BE TAKEN BY PISTOL, RIFLE, SHOTGUN, MUZZLELOAD-
ING FIREARM, CROSSBOW OR LONG BOW ONLY IN ALL OR PARTS OF THE FOLLOWING
REGIONS OR COUNTIES OR PORTIONS OF COUNTIES:
(A) NORTHERN ZONE
(B) ALBANY EXCEPT IN AREAS AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISIONS SIX OR SEVEN OF
THIS SECTION
(C) ALLEGANY
(D) THAT PORTION OF THE COUNTY OF BROOME EAST OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
IN THE TOWNS OF COLEVILLE, WINDSOR, AND SANFORD
(E) CATTARAUGUS
(F) CHAUTAUQUA EXCEPT THAT PORTION OF THE COUNTY NORTH OF ROUTE 20
(G) CAYUGA
(H) CHEMUNG
(I) CHENANGO
(J) COLUMBIA
(K) CORTLAND
(L) DELAWARE
(M) FULTON (PARTS IN THE SOUTHERN ZONE)
(N) GENESEE
(O) GREENE
(P) HERKIMER (PARTS IN THE SOUTHERN ZONE) EXCEPT IN AREAS AS DEFINED
IN SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION
(Q) LIVINGSTON
(R) MADISON
(S) MONTGOMERY
(T) ONEIDA (PARTS IN THE SOUTHERN ZONE)
(U) ORANGE
(V) ONTARIO
(W) OSWEGO (PARTS IN THE SOUTHERN ZONE)
(X) OTSEGO
(Y) RENSSELAER
(Z) SARATOGA (PARTS IN THE SOUTHERN ZONE)
(AA) SCHENECTADY
(BB) SCHOHARIE
(CC) SCHUYLER
(DD) SENECA
(EE) STEUBEN
(FF) SULLIVAN
(GG) TIOGA
(HH) ULSTER
(II) WASHINGTON (PARTS IN THE SOUTHERN ZONE)
(JJ) WAYNE
(KK) WYOMING
(LL) YATES
(2) DEER AND BEAR MAY BE TAKEN BY PISTOL, SHOTGUN, MUZZLELOADING
FIREARM, CROSSBOW OR LONG BOW ONLY IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES OR PORTIONS
OF COUNTIES:
(A) THE PORTION OF THE COUNTY OF BROOME WEST OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
S. 5301 3
(B) THE PORTION OF THE COUNTY OF CHAUTAUQUA NORTH OF ROUTE 20
(C) DUTCHESS
(D) ERIE EXCEPT IN AREAS AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS
SECTION
(E) MONROE EXCEPT IN AREAS AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS
SECTION
(F) NIAGARA
(G) ONONDAGA
(H) ORLEANS
(I) PUTNAM
(J) ROCKLAND
(K) TOMPKINS
(3) DEER OF EITHER SEX MAY BE TAKEN BY LONG BOW ONLY IN THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES OR PORTION OF COUNTIES:
(A) ALBANY IN AREAS AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF THIS SECTION
(B) MONROE IN AREAS AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION
(C) SUFFOLK EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN REGULATION ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION 11-0903 OF THIS ARTICLE
(D) WESTCHESTER
C. Regular open hunting seasons for bear are fixed by regulation
pursuant to subdivision 8 of section 11-0903 OF THIS ARTICLE. The imple-
ments allowed for bear hunting will be the same as those allowed for
deer hunting as [listed in column three of the table] set forth in para-
graph [a] B of this subdivision.
§ 4. Subdivision 2 of section 11-0113 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as amended by chapter 135 of the laws of 1982, is amended to
read as follows:
2. In the tables in [sections] SECTION 11-0905 [and 11-0907] each
letter of the alphabet in column one identifies and furnishes the cita-
tion for the matter in column one following such letter and also identi-
fies and furnishes the citation for the matter appearing in column two
and column three opposite the matter so identified in column one.
§ 5. Paragraph b of subdivision 3 of section 11-0901 of the environ-
mental conservation law, as amended by section 5 of part EE of chapter
55 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
b. Wild deer and bear shall not be taken except by gun, crossbow or by
long bow. Where an open season, set forth in [the table of open seasons
in] section 11-0907 of this title or otherwise established by law or
fixed by regulation, is specified as an open season for taking such game
by shotgun or long bow only, or is specified as an open season for
taking such game by long bow only, they shall not be taken except as so
specified.
§ 6. Paragraph a of subdivision 1, paragraphs 1 and 2 of subdivision
3, subdivision 5 and subdivision 9 of section 11-0701 of the environ-
mental conservation law, paragraphs 1 and 2 of subdivision 3 and subdi-
vision 5 as amended by section 1-a of part R of chapter 58 of the laws
of 2013, 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, 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.]
S. 5301 4
(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;
(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 resi-
dent 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-re-
sident 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 enti-
tles 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.
§ 7. Paragraph b of subdivision 6 of section 11-0703 of the environ-
mental 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 hunt-
ing 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 muzzle-
loading privilege and meets the requirements of this article.
§ 8. Subdivision 6 of section 11-0713 of the environmental conserva-
tion law is REPEALED.
§ 9. Subparagraph 3 of paragraph c of subdivision 3 of section 11-0901
of the environmental conservation law is REPEALED.
§ 10. Paragraph c of subdivision 3 of section 11-0901 of the environ-
mental 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].
§ 11. 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 subpara-
graph 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:
S. 5301 5
(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 mini-
mum limb width of such crossbow shall be seventeen inches[,] AND have a
minimum peak draw weight of one hundred pounds [and a maximum peak draw
weight of two hundred pounds]. The minimum overall length of such cross-
bow 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 mini-
mum limb width of such crossbow shall be seventeen inches[,] AND have a
minimum peak draw weight of one hundred pounds [and a maximum peak draw
weight of two hundred pounds]. The minimum overall length of such cross-
bow from buttstock to front of limbs shall be twenty-four inches.
§ 12. Subdivision 13 of section 11-0901 of the environmental conserva-
tion 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
CROSSBOW must possess a current bowhunting privilege or a valid certif-
icate of qualification in responsible bowhunting practices issued or
honored by the department.
§ 13. Subdivisions 11 and 16 of section 11-0901 of the environmental
conservation law are REPEALED.
§ 14. 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.
§ 15. Subdivision 1 of section 11-0929 of the environmental conserva-
tion 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 accompa-
nied 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 hunt-
ing license. [A licensee who is twelve or thirteen years of age shall
not hunt with a crossbow.]
§ 16. Subparagraph 5 of paragraph b of subdivision 2 of section
11-0929 of the environmental conservation law is REPEALED and subpara-
graph 6 of paragraph b of subdivision 2 is renumbered subparagraph 5.
§ 17. 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;
S. 5301 6
(1) The owner or lessee of the dwelling house, or members of his imme-
diate family actually residing therein, or a person in his employ, or
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 cross-
bow 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;
§ 18. 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 notwith-
standing 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].
§ 19. Paragraph c of subdivision 2 of section 11-0903 of the environ-
mental conservation law, as amended by chapter 366 of the laws of 2011,
is amended to read as follows:
c. pheasants anywhere in the state [other than Long Island];
§ 20. Paragraphs d and e of subdivision 2 of section 11-0905 of the
environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 911 of the laws of
1990, are amended to read as follows:
d. Ring-necked [Long Island November Long Island, four]
pheasant [1 through December birds in one day,
31. Elsewhere, thirty during season.
fixed] FIXED annually [Elsewhere, fixed]
by regulation FIXED annually
by regulation
e. Quail [Orange, Putnam and Orange, Putnam and
Westchester counties, Westchester counties;
fixed] FIXED annually [four birds in one day,]
by regulation[; ten during season.
Long Island, Long Island, six birds
November 1 through in one day, forty
December 31 during season.] FIXED
ANNUALLY BY REGULATION
§ 21. Paragraph c of subdivision 1 of section 11-0713 of the environ-
mental conservation law is REPEALED.
§ 22. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph 4 of subdivision a of section 83
of the state finance law, as amended by section 1 of part AA of chapter
58 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
(i) There is hereby created a special account within the conservation
fund to be known as the state fish and game trust account to consist of
all moneys received by the state from the sale of lifetime hunting,
fishing, and trapping licenses, and lifetime archery and muzzle-loading
privileges pursuant to section 11-0702 of the environmental conservation
law except those moneys deposited in the habitat conservation and access
account pursuant to section eighty-three-a of this chapter. The state
S. 5301 7
comptroller shall invest the moneys in such account in securities as
defined by section ninety-eight-a of this article OR, WITHIN THE
DISCRETION OF THE COMPTROLLER TO MAXIMIZE INCOME FOR THE ACCOUNT, IN
INVESTMENTS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-SEVEN OF THE
RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW OR CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
SUBDIVISION B OF SECTION THIRTEEN OF THE RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY
LAW. Any income earned by the investment of such moneys, except income
transferred to the conservation fund pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of
this paragraph, shall be added to and become a part of, and shall be
used for the purposes of such account.
§ 23. Subdivision 10 of section 11-0907 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 14 of part EE of chapter 55 of the laws of
2014, is amended to read as follows:
10. [Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, or any prior
notwithstanding language in this article, the] THE department may, by
regulation, authorize the taking of big game by the use of a crossbow by
any licensed person in any big 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 this section in which a shotgun or muzzle loader is
permitted provided however, that any crossbow use during an archery-only
season shall only take place during the last fourteen consecutive days
of such archery-only season in the southern zone provided that such
archery-only season shall consist of not less than forty-five days and
only during the last ten consecutive days of any archery-only season in
the northern zone provided that such archery-only season shall consist
of no less than twenty-three days. Any muzzle loading season which
occurs at the same time as a special archery season may only occur
during times when crossbows are authorized to be used].
§ 24. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
the amendments to paragraph c of subdivision 2 of section 11-0907 of the
environmental conservation law made by section three of this act shall
not affect the expiration of such paragraph and shall be deemed to
expire therewith.