Attention Hunters
Assemblywoman Gunther announces changes to hunting regulations


A letter to sportsmen

Assemblywoman Gunther

Dear Sportsmen,

This promises to be an exciting year for hunting in New York. Changes to state regulations governing the start of hunting season and the use of rifles will help increase the opportunities for both experienced and new hunters to enjoy the great outdoors.

The roots of hunting, fishing and trapping go deep into the soil of our American experience. What started out as a way of life for Native Americans and European settlers has evolved into a revered pastime enjoyed by 1.7 million New Yorkers and visitors who come for the pleasure, challenge, companionship, food and additional income that only outdoor sporting can provide.

I look forward to continuing my strong relationship with the hunters in my district. Together, we can work to advance the interests of sportsmen in New York.
signature
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther


Gunther: Working for Sullivan & Orange County sportsmen

Hunting and trapping regulation changes

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the following hunting and trapping changes for 2005-2006:

  • The opening day of the Southern Zone regular deer season has been changed from Monday to Saturday

  • The archery season will open on the third Saturday in October

  • The late archery and muzzleloader season will be extended to nine days

  • A pilot program to expand the age structure of the buck population will be implemented in two Wildlife Management Units located primarily in Ulster County. This new harvest strategy will require that bucks taken in WMUs 3C and 3J have at least three antler points on a side to be legal. Young hunters under the age of 17 would be exempt from the three point requirement.

A change to New York’s rifle law

A new law expands the use rifles to hunt deer and bear in 11 upstate counties (Ch. 600 of 2005). In addition to Sullivan and Orange counties, rifles can now be used in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chenango, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Oswego, Otsego, Schoharie and Tioga counties, as well as portions of Broome County east of the Susquehanna River.

The use of rifles for big game hunting is allowed in all counties in the Northern Zone. (This new law takes effect immediately).
Hunting season dates for 2005

Early archery season: October 15 - November 18

Regular season: November 19 - December 11

Late archery and muzzleloader seasons:
December 12 - December 20

Black bear regular seasons:
Catskill Range: November 21 - December 11
Allegany Range: November 26 - December 11
Gunther: Encouraging the next generation of sportsmen

Assemblywoman Gunther is sponsoring the following legislation to encourage young hunters and strengthen the link between generations of sportsmen by:

  • Issuing junior licenses to people ages 14-20 to facilitate training, target practice, hunting and shooting competitions (A.1536-A)

  • Reducing the minimum age for obtaining a junior archery license from 14 to 12 (A.1537)

  • Creating a junior big game license for people between ages 14-16 to hunt deer and bear during hunting season (A.1815-A)

  • Regulating the hunting and trapping of elk and moose in the same manner as deer hunting and trapping (A.1538)

  • Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit counties and other local municipalities from regulating hunting, fishing and trapping (A.2047)

Assemblywoman
Aileen Gunther
 18 Anawana Lake Rd
Monticello, NY 12701
(845) 794-5807

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