In the wake of the announcement that SUNY ESF is now banning hunting on 5,300 acres of North Country territory, Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) is sponsoring legislation next year to restore hunting rights on the popular site. This land has been used regularly by SUNY ESF’s students, faculty, research staff, and the general public, but will now be off-limits to small- and big-game hunters this fall due to firearm possession changes resulting from the NY SAFE Act and incorrect interpretation of the existing exemption rules. Barclay sees this legislation as crucial to the hunters and sportsmen in the area and to hunters who travel to the region.

“This new ban on 5,300 acres of hunting land is more collateral damage from the ill-conceived, misguided SAFE Act,” said Barclay. “The SUNY ESF lands have long been utilized by hunters and sportsmen, attract tourists, keep the deer population in check, and help conserve the land.

“That’s why I’m sponsoring legislation next year to restore hunting with firearms on this land. With this ban coming to light after our legislative session ended, there is, unfortunately, nothing we can do to restore hunting in this area in time for the 2013 hunting season. I’m hopeful, however, that we can act next year to restore access to this popular and important land,” said Barclay.