NY governor signs bill permitting kids 14-15 to hunt deer & bears

[Ronda Roaring]

Info from THE SPECTATOR, July 27/08 (Sunday edition of THE EVENING TRIBUNE (Hornell NY) NY has allowed 12-year olds to hunt "small game" with adult supervision since 1991 and the governor has just signed a bill that will permit 14 & 15 year olds to hunt "big game" - also under the supervision of an experienced adult. The good news is that ". . .the number of big game hunters in NY State has been steadily declining by approximately 10,000 lincense holders per year" but "The junior hunting program is expected to bolster hunting license sales." The new law also allows 12-and-under minors to trap without a license when accompanied by a licensed trapper, 18 or older  with at least three years experience. On the same page, avid hunter and editor of  "The Wellsville Reporter" has a four-column rant that the Department of Conservation has shortened the bow season by seven days: "We know who did it:the faceless,nameless pencil pushers who hide behind the anonymity of the folds and deep layers within the infinite matrix formally called the NY State Department of Environmental  Conservation, that's who."  The bow season is still 28 days instead of 35.  It remains to be seen whether DEC will resist the clamour.