Communities Urge Gov. Hochul
To Sign S6510/A07785 into Law
Multiple User Groups Want Outdoor
Access Free of Holiday Deer Hunt
By JOHN RYBINSKI
New York State communities are seeking action from Governor Kathy Hochul to allow them to opt-out of the newly adopted Holiday Deer Hunt, in order to ensure safe outdoor access to multiple user groups during the Christmas holiday break.
The state legislature acted by passing Senate Bill S6510 and Assembly Bill A07785, giving counties the ability to prohibit hunting during a seven-day special late bow, special long bow and muzzle loader season in the state’s Southern Zone. S6510/A07785 allows each county to decide whether to participate in the new deer hunting season—from December 26 through January 1, opened for the first time in 2021—in order to maximize outdoor recreational access for New Yorkers during this time.
While deer season is open, other user groups avoid disturbing hunters and the deer for both tradition and safety’s sake.