Senator Gallivan Announces Passage of Bill to Eliminate Back Tags for Hunters

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announced the Senate has once again passed a bill  (S-2923) that will eliminate a requirement that hunters display and wear back tags while hunting in New York State.  The legislation would amend environmental conservation law and eliminate confusion over hunting requirements. 

“The current law is not uniform and causes confusion for hunters,” Gallivan said.  “The back tag requirement only applies to some parts of New York State and is an example of a regulation that simply is not necessary.  In fact, most states don’t require back tags at all.”

Currently, back tags are not required to be worn or displayed while hunting in the Northern zone and Catskill Park area of New York, but are required elsewhere in the state.  New York is one of just two states that require the use of back tags, which lead to confusion among hunters, especially along New York’s borders.

The Senate passed the bill in 2015 and 2016, but it died in the Assembly.  The measure will be sent back to the Assembly for consideration.

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