Senate Bill S7415

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7415

SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the
hunting of deer with a crossbow

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to allow individuals that are sixty years of
age or older to hunt deer with a crossbow in a special archery season.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would amend subdivision 3 of section 11-0701 of
the Environmental Conservation Law, by adding a new paragraph (4) to
allow individuals that are sixty years of age or older to hunt deer with
a crossbow during a special archery season and requires the Department
to establish regulations for such privilege.

Section 2 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
              

effect on June 1, 2025, provided, however, that effective immediately,
the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation neces-
sary for the implementation of this act on its effective date authorized
to be made and completed on or before such date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Deer hunting is a recreational activity that thousands of people, of
varying ages and experiences, enjoy in the State. Older hunters, many of
whom have engaged in the sport of hunting for their entire lives, some-
times struggle with the heavy draw weight of longbows. These bows can be
difficult to use effectively because of the strength required to pull
back the bowstring and fire. As such, a hunter's experience could be in
jeopardy due to factors that are out of their control.

In contrast to longbows, crossbows are a suitable alternative for those
that struggle with the draw weight of longbows. Forty-eight other States
permit crossbow use in hunting for either certain individuals or specif-
ic portions of the hunting season. Recognizing the benefits of crossbow
hunting for older hunters, Minnesota recently passed a law that allows
licensed hunters that are sixty years or older to use crossbows in hunt-
ing during the regular archery deer, bear, turkey, or rough fish season.

Allowing hunters that are sixty years or older to hunt deer with a
crossbow during a special archery season would only prove to benefit the
State. Older hunters would be able to continue enjoying the sport that
they love without experiencing any difficulties associated with using a
longbow.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill will take effect on June 1, 2026, provided, however, that
effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule
or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
tive date authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.