BILL NUMBER:  S307

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
authorizing persons to hunt with a crossbow


 PURPOSE :
This bill would allow the Department of Environmental Conservation to
promulgate standards to allow for a legalized crossbow hunting season.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
Section 1 of the bill amends Subdivision 2 of section 3-0301 of the
environmental conservation law by allowing DEC to create standards to
allow for a legalized crossbow hunting season.  As well as allowing
the use of a crossbow on private property during any deer hunting
season.  This section also defines a crossbow as a bow and string that
launches a minimum fourteen inch arrow, which is mounted upon a stock
with a trigger that holds the string and limbs under tension until
released. All crossbows must have a working safety. The minimum limb
width is defined as seventeen inches, has a minimum peak draw weight
of one hundred pounds, and a maximum draw weight of two hundred
pounds. It further defines that the overall length of a crossbow from
butt to the stock of the limbs must be twenty-four inches.

 JUSTIFICATION :
              

Currently, hunting with a crossbow is not permitted in New York State
except under very limited conditions relating to being almost
completely physically disabled. However, a person is permitted to hunt
with a longbow. In states including Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio that
allow the use of crossbows, crossbows appear to be an important
recruitment and retention tool for hunters. Many people start out
hunting with crossbows and eventually switch to longbows or compound
bows. Also, the sportsmen in these states have realized that the
recruitment of additional hunters outweighs any differences over
hunting tools.

The sportsmen's cause and the future of hunting is only enhanced by
more people entering the ranks of active and participating sportsmen.
Further, these states found that crossbow use has not resulted in a
decrease in "bag limits," nor has poaching increased. As expected,
where crossbow hunting is permitted, it has been documented as a safe,
responsible and popular means of hunting, and it has had no ill effect
on wildlife resources or on any other group of sportsmen.

Crossbow seasons also create hunting opportunities for people with
disabilities, and those that cannot use a longbow or compound bow.
Many people want to hunt with archery equipment, but simply are not
able to physically maneuver a longbow or a compound bow - i.e.
disabled persons, older persons or persons that lack the upper body
muscle strength needed for longbows or compound bows. Crossbows can be
used by all of these persons, affording them the opportunity they are
now missing. Finally, the bill defines crossbow in accordance with the
standards adopted by the American Crossbow Federation.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
S.1333/A.5011 Referred to Environmental Conservation
S.698A of 2005/2006; Referred to Environmental Conservation
S.22 of 2007-2008; Referred to Environmental Conservation

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
Positive to the State, as there will be an increase in the number of
licenses that are issued.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.