State: NY

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…

Why It Matters: The attacks on the use of lead ammunition have continued throughout the 2025 legislative sessions across the northeast. The use of lead ammunition in hunting is a contentious issue in some states, with the primary concern being the potential effects on wildlife. However, bans on such lead products can cause a decrease…

Why It Matters: On February 25th, without discussion, the New York State Senate Committee on Environmental Protection and Conservation voted 10-1 to ban the import, export, transport, process, sell, offer for sale, purchase, trade, barter, distribution or possession of any part or product of a list of the “Big 5” African animals including elephants, lions,…

Why It Matters: New York Assembly Bill 9862 (AB 9862) and Senate Bill 8479 (SB 8479) are headed to the Governor for signature. The enactment of this legislation will allow financial institutions to assign merchant category codes (MCC’s) to retailers who sell firearms and ammunition, thus allowing these financial institutions to potentially track and/or halt…

Why It Matters: The New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, in partnership with the New York Sportsmen’s Advisory Council (NYSAC) and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), hosted their Aannual Sportsman-Legislator breakfast to discuss policies that will protect and promote the Empire State’s deep rooted outdoor heritage. Events such as the New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus’ breakfast are…

Why It Matters: Currently in New York, a crossbow is classified as a firearm and requires the purchase of a muzzleloader privilege to use a crossbow during the specified seasons. This classification and requirement have created a lot of confusion for hunters. The Federal Government has defined a crossbow as a “bow” and the Internal…