Cayuga County, NY Hunting

The intent of this article is to authorize Cayuga County to permit twelve- and thirteen-year-old individuals to participate in the new and safe hunting opportunities in accordance with Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0935. The enacted 2021-2022 New York State Budget includes a pilot program allowing the opportunity for young hunters, ages 12 and 13, to hunt deer with firearms and crossbows through 2023 if a County authorizes such action within their municipality. Cayuga County is passing this article as deer hunting is a valued tradition for many families, and this new opportunity allows experienced, adult hunters to introduce the value of hunting to the next generation. Furthermore, teaching young people safe, responsible, and ethical hunting practices will ensure a rewarding experience for the youth, while providing quality food to families and contributing to important deer management population control practices.

§ 182-2 Pilot program authorization.

Pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0935, Cayuga County elects to participate in the temporary program to allow for young hunters, ages 12 and 13, to hunt deer with a firearm, to include rifles, shotguns, and muzzle-loading firearms or crossbows through 2023.

§ 182-3 State requirements.

Twelve and thirteen-year old licensed hunters shall be allowed to hunt deer with the following requirements to be followed.

Twelve- and thirteen-year-old licensed hunters shall be allowed to hunt deer under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter, age 21 years or older, with a rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading firearm in areas where and during the hunting season in which such firearms may be used; and

Twelve- and thirteen-year-old licensed hunters shall be allowed to hunt deer under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter, age 21 years or older, with a crossbow during the times when other hunters may use crossbows; and

Supervision of a licensed adult hunter, age 21 years or older, with at least three years of experience who exercises physical control over the youth hunter at all times is required; and

For the purposes of this article "physical control" shall mean that the physical proximity of such minor to the parent, guardian or person (licensed adult hunter) is such that the parent, guardian or person (licensed adult hunter) is reasonably able to issue verbal directions and instructions, maintain constant visual contact, and otherwise provide guidance and supervision to the minor; and

All licensed twelve- and thirteen-year-old hunters, as well as their adult supervisors, shall be required to wear fluorescent orange or pink clothing while engaged in hunting to an extent and covering so designated pursuant to the law, rules, and regulations promulgated by the State of New York; and

All licensed twelve- and thirteen-year-old hunters shall remain at ground level while hunting deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading firearm; and

Notwithstanding any state or federal law to the contrary, this article shall not authorize the hunting of bear by a twelve- or thirteen-year-old with a firearm or crossbow.

§ 182-4 Severability.

If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of this article or the application thereof to any person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity or circumstance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair, effect or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of this article or in its application to the person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity or circumstance directly involved in the controversy in which such order or judgment shall be rendered.