FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) has
> proposed a firearms Big Game "Youth" Hunt for November 13 and 14, 2004.
> Yes, you read it right firearms in archery season!
>
> This proposal will allow 16 and 17 year olds to use firearms to take deer
> and bear during one of the best southern zone bowhunting periods. This
> proposal would ruin the last week and both of the last two weekends of the
> southern zone archery hunting seasons. The NYS DEC will decide by May 1,
> 2004 whether or not to hold this hunt. If the hunt is held this year you
> can expect it to continue in future years. Your prompt attention is
> vital.
>
> 1.) New York Bowhunters, Inc. (NYB) supports increased youth hunting
> opportunity. We have a scholarship program for young people going into the
> field of conservation, a youth membership called SPIKES, youth camps
> throughout the state for 12 to 15 year olds, an annual Youth Hunt for 14
> and 15 year olds, and an awards program for youth. Many NYB members are
> long time sportsmen and bowhunter education instructors.
>
> 2.) As a result of NYB activity junior big game hunters can use their Deer
> Management Permits (DMP) and Deer Management Assistance Permits (DMAP)
> during all available seasons. Because of NYB all junior big game hunters
> pay a reduced license fee.
>
> 3.) The NYS DEC, by its own license system, defines youth as those hunters
> 15 years old and younger. 16 and 17 year olds are young adults. By the
> age of 16 young people are well indoctrinated in their chosen fields of
> interest. Enactment of this proposal will not help recruit youth into the
> shooting sports.
>
> 4.) Juniors 14 years of age and older can already hunt big game with bow
> and arrow through out the big game seasons.
>
> 5.) The DEC understands the negative impact this will have on deer
> hunting. When NYB members asked them why November 13 & 14 instead of the
> last weekend before gun season they replied that "the deer need a week to
> calm down before firearms season opens". The DEC is willing to have deer
> spooked during bow season but they want them calmed down for the firearms
> season. Go figure.
>
> 6.) The safety concerns are obvious; firearms hunters, using firearms
> tactics like deer drives at the same time, in the same places where
> camouflaged bowhunters are trying to remain undetected...
>
> 7.) The disruption to the bowhunting season and the whitetail rut cycle
> are obvious. Once the gun fire begins all bets on deer movement are
> off...
>
> 8.) The law enforcement concerns are obvious.
>
> All in all, this is one of the most foolish ideas that has ever come out
> of NYS DEC Headquarters.
>
> What New Yorker's need to be doing is pushing for passage of A1099 which
> would lower junior archery age from 14 to 12 years of age, and A6752 which
> will lower junior big game (firearms) from 16 to 14 years of age.
>
> Contact the NYS DEC at the following address;
> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
> Attn: John Major, Bureau of Wildlife
> 625 Broadway Ave., 5th Floor
> Albany, New York 12233-4754
> [email protected]
>
> Tell Mr. Major that this proposal is unacceptable. Firearms do not belong
> in archery big game seasons, it does not matter who is using the firearms.
> Tell him that if adopted this proposal will ruin the archery seasons that
> we cherish, the seasons we have worked so long and hard to establish and
> to protect. Tell him that young adults should not be entitled to 'special
> rights' by virtue of age. Tell him that this proposal calls the NYS DEC's
> judgment into question and that it will be difficult for sportsmen to
> trust DEC judgment if they continue on this course.
>
> To weigh in on A6752, and A1099 send your letters to your district
> assembly representative and to;
>
> The Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli
> NYS Assembly
> Room 625 LOB
> Albany, NY 12248
> [email protected]
> WE KNOW GUNS AND ARROWS DONT MIX! Rich [:'(]

RE: FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

I know tons of hunters, but I personally do not know of any hunters in my area who are 16 or 17 year old Jr hunters. Will it really hurt your precious bowhunting in your area. Afterall, I hunt turkeys and other small game with a gun during bow season. How is me tramping around the woods shooting squirrels, grouse and shooting at turkeys going to be any different than a few ... that is few... young hunters shooting at a deer? Could it be that maybe you're afraid a youngster might shoot that deer out from under you? Personally, I believe many more big bucks are killed during bow season than gun season. Why is that, mostly due to tree stands. I don't bowhunt, you gun hunters are spooking the deer for me. How is that any different than a youth spooking a deer for you? In summary, I approve of all youth hunts. In addition, instead of us hunters starting petitions against other hunters, we need to be united. I don't agree with bowhunters hunting out of trees, but I don't go start petitions against you.

RE: FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

One last thing. Thanks for the contact to our Legislature. I'm going to send a letter now stating how great it is to have Youth hunts and I hope to see more of them in the future. I know of a lot more people in favor of youth hunts. I'm going to give this email address to them to congratulating the DEC on a fine decision.

RE: FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

I FOR ONE AM ALL FOR ANYWAY A KID CAN HUNT. I THINK THE BOW SEASON IS LONG ENOUGH SO WHY WOULD IT HURT YOUTHS TO BE ABLE TO HUNT

RE: FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

BY THE WAY CANT 16 AND 17 YEAR OLDS HUNT ALREADY?

RE: FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

Coyote, he is against kids hunting deer with a gun while he's sitting in a tree waiting to stick a deer. I just sent my letter supporting this Youth Hunt, I urge all fellow hunters to unite as hunters and support this special Youth Hunt. They will be getting a lot more support on this from me, both financially and politically.

RE: FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

Yes they can - so why do they need a 10 day head start?


Why not the weekend before if a special season is needed?
The answer is:

If you wish to have a real, positive influence on youth and bring more into the sport, than you need to support (as I do) the following:
Steve

RE: FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

If I hunted in NY, I'd support RWK's position. Putting 16-17 year olds in the field with guns during traditional bow hunting days isnt an attempt by fish and game to encourage youth hunting, its an attempt to increase the deer harvest. If it was a true 'youth' hunt, younger hunters accompanied by gunless adults would be allowed to participate.

CattNY, to me, sounds like a jealous gun hunter who's pissed off that other type of deer hunter's (archers) have earlier chances at deer and longer seasons.

Why do you think that is Catt? Maybe because the chances of harvesting a deer with a bow is alot more difficult than killing one with a gun?

If you supported 'youth' hunts in NY, you'd be screaming to high heaven to include younger hunters. IMO 16 & 17 aren't youths. They shouldnt even be included. 15 and younger with adult supervision is the best way to go.

RE: FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

Duckmastor2 - Thanks!!!

Steve

RE: FIREARMS ALERT DURING ARCHERY SEASON!
 

They sure can...........just like everyone else.


This proposal is stupid on many levels. Primarily being that it will not draw very many "new" hunters to the field. What it will do is just give a bunch of younger guys the green light to kill deer before everyone else..........they would all be hunting opening day anyways, now they just will get an early start. Youth hunters are not 16-17 years old. Take some REAL kids out with their dad's and now your talkin'.

Screwing up the last 10 days of bow season is bad enough........not to mention the danger factor of young inexperienced hunters with guns mixed with guys in full camo. Just a bad idea.

I am 100% in favor of finding ways to get kids involved with hunting. This is just a dumb idea that's all.


As said already this is just another example of the DEC trying to figure out ways to eliminate more deer. 16-17 year olds will most likely be less patient and stick it out like others do for a whole year........they simply have a million other things going on. Giving them the keys to the candy store will hopefully help them take a deer more easily so when they disappear they take some deer with them.

I really fail to see the logic the DEC uses sometimes.............they are willing to gamble ruining the seasons for bow and gun hunters alike by throwing this wrench in the system............all under the veil of trying to help kids......which is not what this is about at all.

Just another reason to believe that the DEC wants massive numbers of deer killed every year.......period. The more the merrier.

I am shocked they haven't exended the seasons yet.........that has to be coming soon.

I am even more shocked when people can't see through the DEC's BS on some topics.


[:'(]