BILL NUMBER: S6510

SPONSOR: MANNION
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to big-
game hunting season

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation would allow a county to opt out of the "Holiday Hunt"
deer hunt between December 26 to January 1.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Amends 11-0907 of the environmental conservation law to allow
a county to pass a resolution or local law to prohibit hunting during
the 7 day "Holiday Hunt"

Section 2. Effective Date

 
              

JUSTIFICATION:

In the February 17, 2021 register, the Department of Environmental
Conservation adopted a bow and muzzleloader deer hunting season in the
Southern Zone during the Christmas and New Year holiday week. The well
intended purpose of this extended season was to promote hunting, econom-
ic activity and participation with young hunters who are in school. This
measure has received significant opposition from not only hunters them-
selves, but New Yorkers who wish to spend the holiday season partaking
in other outdoor activities. In the register, the DEC acknowledges that
there may be a reduction in snowmobile trail availability, and an
increase in restrictions for small game hunting and trapping by private
landowners.

This legislation would authorize counties to determine independently
whether or not an expanded hunting season would benefit their region.
The period between December 26 and January 1 in a typical year has
numerous other economic activities, in particular, winter sports such as
hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and trapping.
It is a particular safety concern to increase the deer hunting season
during a time when more individuals will want to spend their time
outdoors during the holiday season.

The Southern Zone consists of counties as far south as Rockland but
extends as far as Niagra, Erie Oswego, Oneida and Onondaga. The antic-
ipated and recorded snowfall in these areas vary greatly and impact
whether or not additional winter activities will take place.

While beneficial for the few deer hunters who choose to partake in this
hunt, it will likely harm other sportsmen and outdoor winter activities.
It is critically important to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers and
promote winter economic growth by authorizing counties to make independ-
ent decisions to authorize a "holiday hunt".

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

TBD.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.