The Erie County Legislature just approved a change to local hunting laws involving younger teens. Supporters say it gets kids outdoors.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Erie County Legislature has passed a local law allowing 12 and 13-year-olds to obtain hunting licenses and hunt with adult supervision.
The legislation, approved Thursday, authorizes younger teens to use a firearm or crossbow to hunt deer and small game, provided they are accompanied by a licensed adult. Supporters say the change will encourage outdoor activity among youth, while opponents have raised concerns about safety and exposing children to firearms.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is expected to veto the hunting law, but legislators said they are preparing to override him with a super majority vote.
“This was coming. First time around it failed, but the proof’s in the pudding,” said Legislator Frank Todaro, a Republican representing District 8. “The report came out from the DEC parents’ voices were very, very loud this time around. They didn’t want to see this mistake happen again, and we got the majority vote today, so we’re excited about it.”
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The measure follows a previous failed attempt and reflects renewed support among some lawmakers and parents, according to Todaro.
However, critics warn the policy could put children at risk. Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard, a Democrat representing District 2, pointed to incidents involving young hunters elsewhere in the country.
“I know it’s been mentioned, ‘Well, there hasn’t been any incidents.’ But there have been incidents across the country, with an 11-year-old in West Virginia that was shot on Thanksgiving. So, there have been issues with having younger hunters,” she said.
The county executive is expected to veto the bill. Legislators backing the measure say they are ready to override that decision with a supermajority vote.