Youth Hunters Record Another Safe Year With
More than 1,800 Deer Harvests Reported
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos
today announced results of the second year of a pilot program allowing
mentored 12- and 13-year-old hunters to harvest deer with a firearm or
crossbow. The results show youth big game hunters enjoyed another safe,
successful, and well-attended season afield.
"Once again, DEC is
hearing from families across the state who were thrilled to share their
traditions of hunting and wildlife conservation with younger family
members," Commissioner
Seggos said. "DEC's
review of data collected also shows youth hunters followed safety
guidelines and showed both respect for wildlife and their fellow hunters
while afield. I'm proud to see that New York's environment is in good
hands with this next generation of environmental stewards."
Last fall, more than 9,400
12-and 13-year-old hunters, representing nearly 9,200 families, were
eligible to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow and youth hunters
submitted more than 1,800 deer harvest reports.
DEC conducted a post-hunting
survey that found 82 percent of youth hunters and 87 percent of their
adult mentors were moderately or greatly satisfied with their youth big
game hunting experience. Additionally, no hunting-related shooting
incidents, violations, or license revocations involving 12- and
13-year-old hunters occurred during the first two years of the pilot
program.
In 2021, legislation
authorized 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt deer with an experienced adult
mentor in eligible areas of the state under a three-year pilot program.
The law required DEC to analyze results of the pilot program each year
and report its findings back to the State Legislature. DEC tracked
participation, satisfaction, deer harvest, and safety compliance in the
pilot program, and submitted a report to the New York State
Legislature (PDF) sharing its findings from the 2022/23
hunting season and recommendations for future actions.
Visit DEC's website for more
information on youth hunting opportunities in New York.
|
