Erie County, NY- Erie County Republican Legislators led the effort to pass a youth hunting bill that would allow 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt larger game with adult supervision. Erie County remains the only upstate county to have not passed the measure, and one of only two qualifying counties statewide that does not have the law on the books.
"We have many young hunters in Erie County. They are already permitted to hunt small game. All this does is allow them to hunt larger game, provided they are accompanied by an adult. Families have the right to teach their children at an early age how to be a responsible hunter," said lead bill sponsor Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro.
"This is a good law. With adult supervision, our young people can learn how to properly hunt larger game. Passage of this measure allows them to do that," said Minority Leader and Erie County Legislator John Mills.
The measure passed in the Erie County Legislature a few years ago, but was vetoed by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, citing safety concerns. In fact, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) says that since this law has been enacted elsewhere in New York State there have been zero incidents.
"I have four boys. I understand the challenges of raising young people. But as parents, if we want to head out into the woods with them, allowing them to hunt deer, this law will give them that opportunity. There would always be a responsible adult with them. That's the best way to teach them," said Legislator Chris Greene.
"The data speaks for itself. The law works. Young people are learning to hunt safely under adult supervision, and the public made it clear at the hearing that they support this legislation," said Erie County Legislator Lindsay Lorigo.
The measure passed by a vote of 7 to 3.
