The Empire State provides some of the most beautiful forests that the United States has to offer in addition to numerous waterways, including two of the Great Lakes. With about 61% of New York’s land area covered in forests, The Empire State is widely considered a haven in the sportsmen’s community with a plethora of opportunities at their disposal. Iconic species that call New York home are whitetail deer, wild turkeys, black bears, various waterfowl, and many more.
The Caucus recently worked to pass legislation to increase penalties for poaching and has strongly advocated for lowering the hunting age and expanding crossbow usage.
Many additional efforts in New York were directed towards the defense of sportsmen’s rights, primarily fighting restrictive firearm bills and bills that sought to limit predator and other forms of hunting.
The Caucus, Advisory Council, and CSF helped institute a mentored youth hunting pilot program which allowed counties to opt-in and authorize mentored deer hunting for 12 and 13-year-olds beginning during the 2021-22 hunting season.
Paid Hunting License Holders
Paid Angling License Holders
Generated for Wildlife Conservation
Why It Matters: African “Big 5 trophy” bans would ban the import of products from the “Big 5” African animals (which includes elephants, cape buffalo, rhinoceros, and more). Conservation of these species is far more complicated in Africa than our own practices in the USA. Simply put, if these animals (and others) lose their monetary value, locals no longer have an incentive to conserve and maintain populations resulting in unchecked harvest and the categorizing of many as vermin and…
Why It Matters: On Tuesday, August 26, New York Assembly Bill 8330 (AB 8330) and Senate Bill 6360 (SB 6360) were signed into law, which has normalized crossbows. Effective immediately, crossbows are permitted during the full archery season and onerous size requirements on width and maximum peak draw weight are removed from New York statute….
Why it matters: With many hunting seasons in the Northeast coming into focus in the next few weeks, sportsmen and women going afield should brush-up on new laws and regulations that could change their approach to the ’25-’26 hunting seasons. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was on the frontlines of advancing pro-sporting legislation and stopping…
Why It Matters: On Tuesday, June 17, on the last day of their extended session, the New York Assembly passed New York Assembly Bill 8330 (AB 8330) and Senate Bill 6360 (SB 6360) which will normalize crossbows. Once the governor signs the legislation, crossbows will be permitted during the full archery season and onerous size…