NY State Senate Bill 2025-S6360A

Current Bill Status - On Floor Calendar

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 15, 2025	advanced to third reading
May 14, 2025	2nd report cal.
May 13, 2025	1st report cal.1055
May 08, 2025	print number 6360a
May 08, 2025	amend and recommit to environmental conservation
Mar 11, 2025	referred to environmental conservation

Votes

- May 13, 2025 - Environmental Conservation Committee Vote
  S6360A
  
  9
  
  Aye
  
  1
  
  Nay
  
  1
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Environmental Conservation Committee Vote: May 13, 2025
      
      aye (9)
      
      Bynoe
      
      Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
      
      Fahy
      
      Harckham
      
      Hinchey
      
      May
      
      Palumbo
      
      Serrano
      
      Stec
      
      nay (1)
      
      Kavanagh
      
      aye wr (1)
      
      Hoylman-Sigal

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

co-Sponsors

2025-S6360 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8330
Law Section:: Environmental Conservation Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §11-0103, 11-0901, 11-0907 & 11-0931, En Con L

2025-S6360 - Summary

Clarifies provisions regarding the use of crossbows for hunting, allowing the department of environmental conservation to allow the use of crossbows for the taking of big game in any area long bows are permitted.

2025-S6360 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6360

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to clar-
ifying provisions regarding the use of crossbows for hunting

 
PURPOSE:

The bill aims to clarify and potentially expand the provisions governing
the use of crossbows for hunting in New York by amending the environ-
mental conservation law.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 11-0103 of the environmental conservation law
by adding a new subdivision 33, which defines "long bow" to include
longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows.

Section 2 amends subparagraph 9 of paragraph b of subdivision 4 of
section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law to revise the

definition and technical specifications of crossbows used for hunting,
removing specific size and draw weight restrictions.

Section 3 amends subparagraph 9 of paragraph c of subdivision 4 of
section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law to align crossbow
requirements with the changes made in Section 2.

Section 4 amends section 11-0907 of the environmental conservation law
to update provisions regarding the use of crossbows during various hunt-
ing seasons, including removing certain restrictions on their use during
archery and muzzle-loading seasons and allowing the department to regu-
late crossbow use in any big game hunting season where longbows are
permitted.

Section 5 states the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This bill modernizes and clarifies the legal definition and regulations
surrounding crossbow use, ensuring consistency in hunting laws while
expanding opportunities for hunters to utilize crossbows in appropriate
seasons.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2025-S6360 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6360
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 11, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sen. HARCKHAM -- 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 clar-
   ifying provisions regarding the use of crossbows for hunting

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Section  11-0103 of the environmental conservation law is
 amended by adding a new subdivision 33 to read as follows:
   33. "LONG BOW" INCLUDES LONGBOWS, RECURVE  BOWS,  COMPOUND  BOWS,  AND
 CROSSBOWS.
   § 2. Subparagraph 9 of paragraph b of subdivision 4 of section 11-0901
 of  the environmental conservation law, as added by section 6 of part EE
 of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, is 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, not including point,] mounted upon a  stock  with  a  trigger
 that  holds the string and limbs under tension until released. The trig-
 ger 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 SUCH CROSSBOW 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].
   § 3. Subparagraph 9 of paragraph c of subdivision 4 of section 11-0901
 of  the environmental conservation law, as added by section 7 of part EE
 of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, is 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, not including point,] mounted upon a  stock  with  a  trigger
 that  holds the string and limbs under tension until released. The trig-
 ger unit of such crossbow must have a working safety. The [minimum  limb

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10843-01-5

 S. 6360                             2

 width  of  such crossbow shall be seventeen inches, have a] minimum peak
 draw weight of SUCH CROSSBOW 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].
   § 4. Paragraph a of subdivision 1, paragraphs a and b of subdivision 8
 and subdivision 10 of section 11-0907 of the environmental  conservation
 law, paragraph a of subdivision 1 as amended and subdivision 10 as added
 by  section  14  and  paragraphs  a and b of subdivision 8 as amended by
 section 16 of part EE of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, are amended  to
 read as follows:
   a.  Wild  deer  without  antlers or having antlers measuring less than
 three inches in length shall not be taken unless it is taken (1) by long
 bow in a special long bow season established in subdivision [3] THREE of
 this section, or (2)  by  muzzle-loading  firearm  [or  crossbow]  in  a
 special  muzzle-loading  firearm  season  established in subdivision [8]
 EIGHT of this section, or (3) by long bow  in  Westchester  and  Suffolk
 Counties  in  a year in which a regular season for deer of either sex is
 established for such counties, or (4) in a special open season for  deer
 of  either  sex  fixed by regulation pursuant to subdivision [5] FIVE or
 [7] SEVEN of section 11-0903 of this title, or (5) pursuant to a special
 antlerless deer license in a special open season for antlerless deer  in
 a tract within a Wilderness Hunting Area fixed by regulation pursuant to
 subdivision [6] SIX of section 11-0903 of this title, or (6) pursuant to
 a deer management permit by a person eligible to take such deer pursuant
 thereto as provided in section 11-0913 of this title, or (7) pursuant to
 a permit issued to an eligible non-ambulatory person, pursuant to subdi-
 vision  [2] TWO of section 11-0931 of this title, while in possession of
 a valid license issued by the department which authorizes the holder  to
 hunt  big game. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to limit
 the power of the department to designate by regulation an area or  areas
 of  the  state  consisting  of  a  county or part of a county where such
 season shall apply and whether the number of such special permits  shall
 be limited.
   a.  In  every  area identified in column one of the table set forth in
 subdivision two of  this  section,  except  those  areas  restricted  to
 special  seasons  for  taking deer by longbow only, special open seasons
 may be established by regulation for taking deer and/or bear, by the use
 of muzzle-loading firearms, of not less  than  .44  caliber  shooting  a
 single  projectile[,  or  by the use of a crossbow,] by the holders of a
 hunting license with a valid muzzle-loading privilege.
   b. Such special open season for the Southern Zone  shall  be  for  the
 seven  day period immediately preceding the regular open season for deer
 stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision two  of  this
 section,  except  that  the department may, by regulation, fix such open
 season in the Southern Zone or any portion  thereof  to  be  either  the
 seven  days  immediately  preceding or immediately following the regular
 open season for deer[, provided, however, that any  taking  of  deer  or
 bear by the use of a crossbow in a season or special season in which the
 muzzle  loader  is  the only firearm permitted shall succeed the regular
 open hunting season for deer established pursuant to subdivision two  of
 of this section].
   10.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  of  this  chapter,  or any prior
 notwithstanding language in this article, the department may,  by  regu-
 lation, 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
 S. 6360                             3

 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (i), (k) and (l) of paragraph a of  subdi-
 vision  two  of this section] in which a [shotgun or muzzle loader] LONG
 BOW 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 load-
 ing season which occurs at the same time as a special archery season may
 only occur during times when crossbows are authorized to be used].
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8330
Law Section:: Environmental Conservation Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §11-0103, 11-0901, 11-0907 & 11-0931, En Con L

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6360A

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to clar-
ifying provisions regarding the use of crossbows for hunting

 
PURPOSE:

The bill aims to clarify and potentially expand the provisions governing
the use of crossbows for hunting in New York by amending the environ-
mental conservation law.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 11-0103 of the environmental conservation law
by adding a new subdivision 33, which defines "long bow" to include
longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows.

Section 2 amends subparagraph 9 of paragraph b of subdivision 4 of
section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law to revise the

definition and technical specifications of crossbows used for hunting,
removing specific size and draw weight restrictions.

Section 3 amends subparagraph 9 of paragraph c of subdivision 4 of
section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law to align crossbow
requirements with the changes made in Section 2.

Section 4 amends section 11-0907 of the environmental conservation law
to update provisions regarding the use of crossbows during various hunt-
ing seasons, including removing certain restrictions on their use during
archery and muzzle-loading seasons and allowing the department to regu-
late crossbow use in any big game hunting season where longbows are
permitted.

Section 5 sets a residential buffer zone of 500 feet for Westchester,
Suffolk, and Nassau Counties, and allows other counties to opt into that
provision.

Section 5 states the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Current statutes governing the use of crossbows for hunting in New York
are inadequate for game management purposes, do not satisfy hunter pref-
erences for use of crossbows, and fail to effectively capitalize on
crossbows as a tool to recruit and retain hunters. Additionally, cross-
bows serve as an implement that is accessible for hunters with physical
limitations and are preferred by a growing group of hunters looking for
an alternative to traditional hunting implements. Further, statutory
crossbow specifications do not align with standard crossbow design or
market availability, making it nearly impossible for the public to find
and use a crossbow that is legally compliant in New York.

Statutes should be amended to allow crossbow use for hunting in the same
places, in the same manner, during the same time frames, and with the
same eligibility requirements as with vertical bows. In addition, by
removing the restrictions on crossbow size (e.g., minimum limb width)
and maximum draw weight, more appropriate specifications effective for
hunting and consistent with standard crossbow designs can be used. This
will simplify, standardize, and expand access to archery hunting for
more New Yorkers.

Hunting with crossbows is expressly prohibited in parts of the state
suffering from chronic and excessive deer-related impacts (e.g., deer-
vehicle collisions, loss of forest regeneration and biodiversity,
increased tick-borne illness) like Suffolk and Westchester counties and
portions of Albany and Monroe counties. In these areas, current statute
constrains deer hunting to use of vertical bows. In other areas of the
state, use of crossbows is constrained to only the final days of the
archery season. Thus, allowing crossbows to be used in the same places
and same manner as vertical bows is an essential step toward meeting the
public's desire for hunting opportunity and deer management. Many of
these areas are near urban centers and use of crossbows will open new
opportunities for New Yorkers near where they live. Additionally, cross-
bows are an excellent tool for mentored hunting programs, providing a
more rapid learning curve and consistent proficiency than vertical bows
for new archers.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IM LICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  6360--A
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 11, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sens. HARCKHAM, COMRIE, SALAZAR -- read twice and ordered
   printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environ-
   mental Conservation -- committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered
   reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to clar-
   ifying provisions regarding the use of crossbows for hunting
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 11-0103 of the environmental  conservation  law  is
 amended by adding a new subdivision 33 to read as follows:
   33.  "LONG  BOW"  INCLUDES  LONGBOWS, RECURVE BOWS, COMPOUND BOWS, AND
 CROSSBOWS.
   § 2. Subparagraph 9 of paragraph b of subdivision 4 of section 11-0901
 of the environmental conservation law, as added by section 6 of part  EE
 of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, is 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,  not  including  point,] mounted upon a stock with a trigger
 that holds the string and limbs under tension until released. The  trig-
 ger  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 SUCH CROSSBOW 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].
   § 3. Subparagraph 9 of paragraph c of subdivision 4 of section 11-0901
 of the environmental conservation law, as added by section 7 of part  EE
 of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, is 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,  not  including  point,] mounted upon a stock with a trigger
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10843-02-5

 S. 6360--A                          2
 
 that holds the string and limbs under tension until released. The  trig-
 ger  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 SUCH CROSSBOW 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].
   § 4. Paragraph a of subdivision 1, paragraphs a and b of subdivision 8
 and subdivision 10 of section 11-0907 of the environmental  conservation
 law, paragraph a of subdivision 1 as amended and subdivision 10 as added
 by  section  14  and  paragraphs  a and b of subdivision 8 as amended by
 section 16 of part EE of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, are amended  to
 read as follows:
   a.  Wild  deer  without  antlers or having antlers measuring less than
 three inches in length shall not be taken unless it is taken (1) by long
 bow in a special long bow season established in subdivision [3] THREE of
 this section, or (2)  by  muzzle-loading  firearm  [or  crossbow]  in  a
 special  muzzle-loading  firearm  season  established in subdivision [8]
 EIGHT of this section, or (3) by long bow  in  Westchester  and  Suffolk
 Counties  in  a year in which a regular season for deer of either sex is
 established for such counties, or (4) in a special open season for  deer
 of  either  sex  fixed by regulation pursuant to subdivision [5] FIVE or
 [7] SEVEN of section 11-0903 of this title, or (5) pursuant to a special
 antlerless deer license in a special open season for antlerless deer  in
 a tract within a Wilderness Hunting Area fixed by regulation pursuant to
 subdivision [6] SIX of section 11-0903 of this title, or (6) pursuant to
 a deer management permit by a person eligible to take such deer pursuant
 thereto as provided in section 11-0913 of this title, or (7) pursuant to
 a permit issued to an eligible non-ambulatory person, pursuant to subdi-
 vision  [2] TWO of section 11-0931 of this title, while in possession of
 a valid license issued by the department which authorizes the holder  to
 hunt  big game. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to limit
 the power of the department to designate by regulation an area or  areas
 of  the  state  consisting  of  a  county or part of a county where such
 season shall apply and whether the number of such special permits  shall
 be limited.
   a.  In  every  area identified in column one of the table set forth in
 subdivision two of  this  section,  except  those  areas  restricted  to
 special  seasons  for  taking deer by longbow only, special open seasons
 may be established by regulation for taking deer and/or bear, by the use
 of muzzle-loading firearms, of not less  than  .44  caliber  shooting  a
 single  projectile[,  or  by the use of a crossbow,] by the holders of a
 hunting license with a valid muzzle-loading privilege.
   b. Such special open season for the Southern Zone  shall  be  for  the
 seven  day period immediately preceding the regular open season for deer
 stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision two  of  this
 section,  except  that  the department may, by regulation, fix such open
 season in the Southern Zone or any portion  thereof  to  be  either  the
 seven  days  immediately  preceding or immediately following the regular
 open season for deer[, provided, however, that any  taking  of  deer  or
 bear by the use of a crossbow in a season or special season in which the
 muzzle  loader  is  the only firearm permitted shall succeed the regular
 open hunting season for deer established pursuant to subdivision two  of
 of this section].
   10.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  of  this  chapter,  or any prior
 notwithstanding language in this article, the department may,  by  regu-
 S. 6360--A                          3
 
 lation, 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  subdi-
 vision  two  of this section] in which a [shotgun or muzzle loader] LONG
 BOW 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 load-
 ing season which occurs at the same time as a special archery season may
 only occur during times when crossbows are authorized to be used].
   §  5. Section 11-0931 of the environmental conservation law is amended
 by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
   8. A. NO PERSON  IN  WESTCHESTER,  NASSAU,  OR  SUFFOLK  COUNTY  SHALL
 DISCHARGE  A  CROSSBOW  WITHIN  FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF A DWELLING HOUSE, A
 FARM BUILDING OR FARM STRUCTURE ACTUALLY OCCUPIED OR USED, OR  A  SCHOOL
 BUILDING OR PLAYGROUND, PUBLIC STRUCTURE, OR OCCUPIED FACTORY OR CHURCH.
   B.  A COUNTY NOT ENUMERATED IN PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION MAY OPT
 BY LOCAL LAW TO BE COVERED BY THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH PARAGRAPH.
   § 6. This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S6360A

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - On Floor Calendar

May 13, 2025 - Environmental Conservation Committee Vote

Environmental Conservation Committee Vote: May 13, 2025

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2025-S6360 - Details

2025-S6360 - Summary

2025-S6360 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6360 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S6360A

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - On Floor Calendar

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2025-S6360 - Details

2025-S6360 - Summary

2025-S6360 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6360 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6360A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments