State Senate Approves Legislation to Lower Minimum Hunting Age

Albany, NY– State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has announced today that the New York State Senate has passed legislation (S3156) that would amend the Environmental Conservation Law to lower the age for universal hunting licenses from fourteen to twelve years old. 

Senator Ranzenhofer is a co-sponsor of the bill.

“Hunting is a major tradition passed down from generation to generation for many families across Upstate New York. This legislation allows parents to teach their children valuable hunting skills in a safe environment at an earlier age. Enacting this proposal ensures the tradition of hunting continues for future generations,” said Ranzenhofer.

Under existing law, 14 years old is the minimum hunting age, representing one of the oldest ages in the United States. The legislation includes supervision requirements. A parental or legal guardian, with a hunting license and at least three years of experience hunting big game, must accompany the youth. 

The legislation passed the Senate by a 47 to 13 vote. The bill will be sent to the State Assembly.

Assemblyman Aileen M. Gunther is the sponsor of the bill in Assembly. If enacted, the act would take effect immediately.

Nearly two million sportsmen and women hunt and fish across New York, ranking it third in the nation – behind only Texas and Florida.

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