Below is the update. While there is some that helps the bowhunters of NYS, there are a few key items that are very detrimental. I can forward letters to anyone that may want them, but if possible, it is always best to create your own.
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Two Major Issues
# 1. Senate bill #S6747 and Assembly bill #A9682 have been introduced that would give the DEC regulatory authority to place the crossbow in the archery-only seasons. Since the DEC has stated clearly in their 5-year deer management plan that they intend to place the crossbow in the archery seasons, we need to challenge these bills.
# 2. The DEC has posted the following 2012 big game regulation changes in the New York State Register dated April 4th for public comment:
(1) Place a youth firearms hunt in the middle of the archery seasons on the 3-day Columbus Day weekend,
(2) Open the southern zone archery season on October 1st,
(3) Open the northern zone early muzzleloading and regular season one week later which would expand the archery season by one week in 6 out of 10 years while remaining the same 40% of the time,
(4) Allow archers and muzzleloaders to use deer management permits during all the northern zone seasons,
(5) Allow archers to hunt during the late northern zone muzzleloading season,
(6) Expand the antler restriction program in the Catskill region of the state. While NYB supports the basic concept of protecting younger bucks, we also support volunteer compliance and the right of local hunters and landowners to determine their own destiny as a specific antler restriction policy that may work in one area of the state would be inappropriate in other areas.
Letters should be sent to the Environmental Conservation Committee legislative chairman, Senator Grisanti and Assemblyman Sweeney. Include your name and address at the bottom of each letter. Call and email as well to voice your comments, but make sure you send a letter via US mail.
Senator Mark Grisanti Assemblyman Robert Sweeney
LOB, Room 902, LOB, Room 625
Albany, NY 12247 Albany , NY 12248
e-mail:
[email protected] e-mail:
[email protected] phone: (518) 455-3240 phone: (518) 455-5787
Also contact the Majority Leaders in both the Senate and Assembly as follows:
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
LOB, Room 932
Albany, NY 12248
e-mail:
[email protected] phone: (518) 455-3791
Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari
LOB, Room 926
Albany, NY 12248
e-mail:
[email protected]phone: (518) 455-4474
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos
LOB, Room 909
Albany, NY 12247
e-mail:
[email protected]phone: (518) 455-3171
Please send your comments to the above listed legislators as well as to the DEC via e-mail at
[email protected] and by mail to :
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Bureau of Wildlife, c/o Bryan L. Swift
625 Broadway Avenue
Albany, New York 12233-4754
In addition to the above directions, please also contact your own local Senator and Assembly person. Again, use the attached letters as guides for your own comments.
Find your legislator;
www.nysenate.gov www.assembly.state.ny.us