Yesterday, the state Senate passed a bill (A.924-E/S.6793-B) co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) to legalize crossbow hunting in New York State. The legislation was passed by the Assembly on June 29th and will now be delivered to Governor Paterson later this summer for his consideration.

Current state law only allows longbows to be used for bow hunting while crossbows are solely permitted for certain physically disabled hunters. However, that limits certain hunters – such as seniors and veterans with disabilities – from bow hunting because longbows can be prohibitively heavy. Aside from New York, Oregon is the only other state that bans crossbow hunting.

“Denying certain hunters a tool that can allow them to continue a beloved pastime didn’t make sense to me. That’s why I supported legalizing crossbow hunting,” said Lupardo, a member of the Environmental Conservation Committee. “Hunting is an important recreational activity and wildlife management tool. We should be expanding the opportunities for those who wish to hunt, but are physically limited from doing so.”

“In addition, hunting contributes nearly a billion dollars to the state’s economy annually and it is a key component to our economy in the Southern Tier as well. This measure does not compromise safety and will generate revenue by increasing both tourism and the number of licenses issued,” said Lupardo.

The legislation co-sponsored by Lupardo defines acceptable crossbows as requiring the use of 14-inch and longer arrows and the inclusion of a working safety. It would also allow the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to establish a crossbow hunting season and allow crossbow use on private property during any deer hunting season.

Last month, Lupardo was joined at press conference in Albany by a bipartisan group of legislators, the Safari Club, New York State Conservation Council, the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Councils and the Shooters' Committee on Political Education (SCOPE), who called for the Assembly and Senate to pass the bill for the end of the legislative session.

This legislation is the latest in a long-line of sportsmen measures Lupardo has supported in recent years, including:

• Chapter 344 of 2008 – a new law granting big-game hunting privileges to 14- and 15-year olds in New York State as long as they are supervised by an experienced hunter;
• Chapter 600 of 2005 – a new law allowing sportsmen to use rifles to hunt deer and bear in upstate counties (including Broome); and,
• A.3270 of 2010 (passed Assembly) – a bill that would create the Empire State Fishing Trail program to capitalize on the state’s emergence as a top bass fishing destination.