Otsego County opts into pilot
hunting program for kids 12, 13

By GREG KLEIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

MIDDLEFIELD — Otsego County will opt into a pilot state program to allow children ages 12 and 13 to take part in more forms of hunting, including with a firearm.

The county’s Board of Representatives approved the trial program at their meeting Wednesday, July 7.

The program was approved in the 2021 state budget and offered by the state Department of Environmental Conservation on a county-by-county basis.

According to a media release from the DEC, the program:
• allows 12- and 13-year-old licensed hunters to hunt deer with a rifle, shotgun or muzzleloading firearm in areas where and during the hunting seasons in which such firearms may be used, including during the Youth Firearms Big Game Hunt over Columbus Day weekend;
• allows 12- and 13-year-old licensed hunters to hunt deer with a crossbow during the times when other hunters may use crossbows;
• requires supervision of a licensed adult hunter (aged 21 years or older) with at least three years of experience hunting deer who maintains physical control over the youth hunter at all times;
• requires the youth hunter and adult mentor to wear fluorescent orange or pink clothing and to remain at ground level while hunting deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun, or muzzleloader.