ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz today vetoed Erie County Local Law 3-1 of 2026, the Youth Hunting Law, which would allow 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt big game with a mentor. Poloncarz attended a public hearing on the law on Wednesday May 13 to hear from residents both approving of the law and opposing it.
In a video statement explaining his decision today Poloncarz stated the following:
“Today, I vetoed Erie County Local Law 3-1 of 2026, the youth hunting law, which would allow 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt big game with a mentor.
I want to explain to the people of Erie County why I made that decision
.
As County Executive, I am one of the few people who receives and reviews child fatality reports from New York State. These reports are created anytime a child dies, whether from an accident, illness, or other circumstances.
Unfortunately, since taking office, I have read hundreds of them. Every single one represents one child too many. In some cases, those deaths are the result of accidental shootings.
I recognize that since New York passed the 12- and 13-year-old hunter law, there has not been an incident in New York, and I acknowledge that.
However, in other states, children as young as 9, 10, and 11 years old have died in hunting-related incidents since 2020. Just last September in Iowa, a 17-year-old was killed while squirrel hunting.
I have read too many child fatality reports to sign a law that could potentially result in a child dying because of its passage.
The Legislature has the opportunity to override my veto, and they may choose to do so. That is their constitutional right, and I respect that decision.
But if they override this veto and a child dies in the future, my conscience will be clear knowing I did everything I could to try to prevent that tragedy.
I understand there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue. I respect responsible hunters and hunting families across our community. I come from a family that hunts. My father hunted, my brother hunts, and other members of my family hunt.
This is not about being against hunting.
It is about whether I believe it is appropriate for 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt big game, even with a mentor. Because of the risk, and because of the child fatality reports I have read, I do not believe it is.
That is why I vetoed this law.
Thank you.”
The video statement may be viewed at the Erie County NY YouTube site.
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