Lockport, NY - Today, New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Angelo Morrinello, Niagara County Legislator Shawn Foti, and Escarpment Arms CEO Joe Olscamp called on Governor Kathy Hochul to sign Senate Bill S.9302 which would extend big game hunting by rifle in Niagara County. 

In 2024, Senator Ortt sponsored Senate Bill S.8382B to allow big game hunting by rifle in Niagara County. At the time, Niagara County was one of only a handful of counties that did not allow rifle hunting. This legislation is set to expire on October 1, 2026. 

“Over the past two years, hunters have shown remarkable responsibility while harvesting big game with rifles here in Niagara County. This is a common sense, non-partisan bill with no financial impact to taxpayers - and it helps curb the ever-expanding deer and bear populations here in Western New York. Hunters have asked for the continuation of rifle hunting, and I encourage Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law so that sportsmen can carry on with this new tradition,” said New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt. 

“Extending this law is simply common sense. It gives hunters another option, helps us manage our deer and bear populations, and supports a tradition and a constitutional right that is important to so many families in our community. I urge the Governor to sign this legislation and let Niagara County hunters continue to do what they do best—responsibly enjoy the outdoors and manage our wildlife,” said Assemblyman Paul Bologna, who sponsored the bill in the assembly. 

“Niagara County hunters have demonstrated that rifle hunting can be conducted safely, responsibly, and with respect for our communities and wildlife. Extending this successful program is simply a matter of giving local sportsmen the opportunity to continue a tradition that has worked well over the past two years. I urge Governor Hochul to sign this legislation and allow Niagara County to continue managing its deer and bear populations while supporting responsible hunting and our local sporting community,” said Assemblyman Angelo Morinello

“The Niagara County Gun Owners’ Rights Advisory Panel, after working with our hunters and conservation clubs, strongly endorsed this legislation so we could further enhance the hunting experience and stay consistent with surrounding counties,” said Legislator Shawn Foti.  “After two years, it has been a great success, with the safest hunting seasons on record while allowing for more options for our hunting community. We strongly believe it should continue.”

“Niagara County was one of the last Counties to request authorization to use rifles for Big Game Hunting. As a Gun Shop Owner, Former Niagara County Coordinator of Hunter Education for the DEC, and member of multiple firearms advisory panels, I have not been made aware of a single incident resulting from this change. Responsible sportsmen have proven there is no logical reason not to renew this. The deer population has grown so much that the DEC offers near unlimited tags in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 9A, which covers Niagara County. We should not impede responsible wildlife management,” said Escarpment Arms CEO Joe Olscamp. 

The original bill, and the current extension, excludes the City of Lockport, the City of North Tonawanda, and the City of Niagara Falls from rifle hunting. The bill also allows municipalities to opt out of rifle hunting. 

Senate Bill S.9302 passed both houses during this year’s legislative session with wide, bi-partisan support and would take effect immediately after the governor signs it.