There are currently 4 Bills, 2 in each legislative EnCon Committee pertaining to the lowering of the age requirements in NYS.
A04623 and S00113 would lower the minimum required age from 14 to allow 12 and 13 year olds to hunt with a bow under the supervision of a licensed adult bowhunter.
A03878 and S00857 would lower the minimum required age from 16 to allow 14 and 15 year olds to hunt with a firearm under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter.
This is another year that this legislation is in BOTH houses. It passes the Senate EnCon Committee wiht little effort, but stalls in the Assembly. Please call and/or write to EVERY member in each respective EnCon Committee and asl them to vote YES on these.
The opposition is coming from the Downstate Democrats who make up the bulk of the Assembly EnCon Committee, and with Assemblyman DiNapoli out as Chairman, we still don't know who'll take his place. Regardless of what his credentials are for Comptroller, he was a friend to the sportsmen of NYS. Hee couldn't do it alone though, EVERY member must get at least a telephone call in order for this to get to a vote on the floor. But putting that aside, please at least make some telephone calls.
We are lagging in this department in reference to the rest of the nation, and all of our neighboring states allow far younger hunters to enjoy this great pasttime with their parents and family.
Without passing through BOTH respective Committees, ANY piece of legislation cannot be brought forth for a final vote before each house.