(Posted 4/8/09 )

New York Bill Raises Age Restrictions for Hunters
 
 A new bill introduced in New York would undo the recent positive steps
 taken by the state legislature to reduce age restrictions for hunters
 in the state.
 
 Senate Bill 3598, sponsored by Senator Liz Krueger (D- New York City),
 would raise the hunting age across the board.
 
 Specifically, the bill increases the minimum age for obtaining a
 hunting license from 16 to 18 years of age while requiring anyone under
 the age of 20 to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or relative.
 Additionally the bill raises the junior hunting license range to 14-16
 years old from the current 12-14 years old while also increasing the
 age of the mentor accompanying a junior hunter from 21 to 23. The bill
 also increases the junior archery license age bracket limit from 14-16
 to 16-18 years old.
 
 The bill, which was referred to the Senate Environmental Conservation
 Committee, would reverse last year’s legislation lowering the youth
 hunting restrictions, which was based upon the Families Afield
 initiative.