[HISTORY: Adopted by the Legislature of the County of Putnam as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-6-2021 by L.L. No. 5-2021]
A. 
The Putnam County Legislature declares the intent of this article is to authorize the County of Putnam's participation in a pilot program which permits twelve- and thirteen-year-old individuals to participate in the new hunting opportunities provided by Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0935.
B. 
This article is adopted under the authority granted by:
(1) 
Article IX of the New York State Constitution, § 2[c];
(2) 
New York Municipal Home Rule Law, § 10; and
(3) 
New York Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0935.
C. 
The Putnam County Legislature hereby finds as follows:
(1) 
The enacted 2021-2022 New York State Budget included a pilot program allowing the opportunity for young hunters, ages 12 and 13, to hunt deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading firearm through 2023, provided that the County authorizes such action by local law.
(2) 
The County of Putnam is enacting this article in recognition of hunting as a prized tradition for many families, and this new opportunity allows experienced adult hunters to introduce the values and disciplines of hunting and conservation 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 population management practices.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ELIGIBLE AREA
Any county within the State of New York that has enacted a local law authorizing participation in a youth hunting pilot program, and has notified the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation of such participation.
HUNTING LICENSE HOLDER
A person who has successfully completed a hunter education/safety course, and currently holds a valid hunting license issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
LEGAL GUARDIAN
A person legally responsible for a minor participating in the Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program who currently holds a valid hunting license issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and has at least three years of prior experience hunting deer as a hunting license holder.
MENTOR
A person who: (a) currently holds a valid hunting license issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; (b) is 21 years of age or older; (c) has at least three years of prior experience hunting deer as a hunting license holder; and (d) has been designated in writing by a minor's parent or legal guardian on a form prescribed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to serve as a mentor to said minor for purposes of the Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program.
MINOR
A youth 12 or 13 years of age who currently holds a valid hunting license issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to hunt deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading firearm within an eligible area.
PARENT
A person who currently holds a valid hunting license issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, has at least three years of prior experience hunting deer as a hunting license holder, and is the parent of the minor participating in the Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program.
PHYSICAL CONTROL
The physical proximity of a minor to a parent, legal guardian, or mentor and is such that the parent, legal guardian, or mentor is: (a) reasonably able to issue verbal directions and instructions; (b) maintain constant visual contact; and (c) otherwise able to provide guidance and supervision to the minor.
A. 
The youth hunting opportunities authorized by Environmental Conservation Law section 11-0935 shall be applicable within the boundaries of the County of Putnam upon: (a) the enactment of this article by the County of Putnam; and (b) notice provided to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation of the enactment of this article.
B. 
The County of Putnam hereby elects to participate in a Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program to allow minors ages 12 or 13 to hunt deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun or muzzle-loading firearm when accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or mentor.
A. 
A minor aged 12 or 13 may hunt deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading firearm within the County of Putnam when accompanied by, and is under the physical control of, a parent, legal guardian, or mentor as those terms are defined in this article.
B. 
A minor participating in the Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program in an eligible area must be in possession of a valid New York State hunting license and valid tags, as appropriate, while afield at all times. The accompanying parent, legal guardian, or mentor must also be in possession of a valid New York State hunting license at all times when supervising a minor participating in the Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program.
C. 
A minor and the accompanying parent, legal guardian, or mentor must display either a minimum total of 250 square inches of solid fluorescent orange or pink, or patterned fluorescent orange or pink, consisting of no less than 50% fluorescent orange or pink material worn above the waist and visible from all directions, or a hat or cap with no less than 50% of the exterior consisting of solid fluorescent orange or pink material and visible from all directions.
D. 
A minor aged 12 or 13 participating in the Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program must remain at ground level at all times when hunting deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading firearm.
E. 
A minor participating in the Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program must remain within the physical proximity of a parent, legal guardian, or mentor which means they must be capable of receiving verbal directions and instructions, and be in constant visual contact with the supervising parent, legal guardian, or mentor at all times.
F. 
A minor participating in the Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program must abide by all other federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations applicable to hunting including, but not limited to, manner of take, bag limits, hunting hours, geographical or general implement restrictions, hunting seasons, tagging, transporting, and reporting requirements.
In accordance with Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0935.2, a copy of this article shall be filed with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation thereby notifying the Department of Putnam County's participation in the Pilot Youth Deer Hunting Program. A copy shall also shall be filed with the New York State Department of State in accordance with Section 27 if the Municipal Home Rule Law.
If any part of this article is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remainder of this article. The County hereby declares that it would have passed this article and each section or subsection thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more of the sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases may be declared unconstitutional or invalid.
All ordinances, local laws, and parts thereof inconsistent with this article are hereby repealed.
This article shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of New York in accordance with Section 27 if the Municipal Home Rule Law.