Junior Hunting Bill Passes State Senate And Assembly

Fulton Valley News
 
New York State Senator Darrel J. Aubertine noted that the Senate and Assembly passed legislation that will lower the hunting age from 16 years old to 14 years old with adult supervision.

"I'm extremely pleased that finally, after years and years of wrangling, it looks like this will be signed into law," Sen. Aubertine said. "This bodes well for hunter safety and getting more young people into sports of field with a mentor."

Sen. Aubertine said he co-sponsored legislation as a member of the Assembly to involve younger hunters. Sen. Aubertine, Sen. David Valesky, and Assemblywoman Ginny Fields urged Governor David Paterson to make the bill one of his program bills, the senator noted. After the bill was picked up in the Senate, Sen. Aubertine said he worked to ensure its passage with an overwhelming majority of 61-1.

"I've always supported allowing young people who have taken safety courses to hunt with a responsible adult," Sen. Aubertine said. "I've strived to raise awareness for sportsmen's issues among my colleagues and members from both parties pushed for this legislation, along with the DEC. I'm proud to see this pass both houses and eagerly await the governor's signature."

This legislation is identical to Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte's bill (A.11033), which passed in the Assembly June 19. The governor and the Department of Environmental Conservation have also expressed support for this legislation.

"Simply put, New York's law was not practical," the senator said. "Young men and women under 16 were not allowed to hunt big game under any scenario-a limitation no other state has implemented. The earlier you teach people how to hunt, the safer we make the outdoors and the more people will appreciate our environment."

The bill allows 14- and 15-year-olds to hunt deer and bear while closely supervised by an adult and lets 12- and 13-year-olds hunt small game