A Quick Review of Some Basic Hunting Regulations for Tomorrow’s Opening Day

According to the New York State Department of Conservation’s website, there are some regulations that all hunters should review to assure that tomorrow’s Opening Day will be a safe and memorable day:

Discharge of Firearms, Crossbows and Bows
It is illegal to discharge a firearm, bow or crossbow:
-so that the load or arrow passes over any part of a public highway,
-within 500 feet (for a firearm), 250 feet (for a crossbow) or 150 feet (for a bow) of any school, playground, or an occupied factory or church,
-within 500 feet (for a firearm), 250 feet (for a crossbow) or 150 feet (for a bow) of a dwelling, farm building or structure in occupation or use unless you own it, lease it, are an –  immediate member of the family, an employee, or have the owner’s consent.

Manner of Taking
It is illegal to take or hunt wildlife:
-while in or on a motor vehicle (except by the holder of a Non Ambulatory Hunter Permit).
-with the aid of a vehicle’s lights.
-on or from any public road.
-with any firearm equipped with a silencer.
-with any firearm which continues to fire as long as the trigger is held back (an automatic firearm).
-with a spear or spear gun.
-with a bow equipped with any mechanical device which is attached to the bow (other than the bowstring) for drawing, holding or releasing the bowstring, except for a hunter with a disability who is in possession of a Modified Longbow Authorization (or valid Modified Archery Permit).
-with a modified crossbow except for a hunter with a disability who is in possession of a Modified Crossbow Permit.
-with an arrow with an explosive head or shaft.
-with any device designed or intended to deliver drugs to an animal.
-with any semi-automatic firearm with a capacity to hold more than 6 rounds, EXCEPT the following semi-automatic firearms:
-firearms using .22 or .17 caliber rimfire ammunition, or
-firearms altered to reduce their capacity to no more than 6 shells at one time in the magazine and chamber combined, or
-autoloading pistols with a barrel length of less than eight inches.
-with a crossbow if you are under the age of 14 years old.

Back Tags
Back tags must be visibly displayed on the middle of your back while hunting, except in the Northern Zone and Catskill Park.

Baiting
It is illegal to hunt with the aid of bait, or over any baited area when hunting big game, upland game birds, turkey or waterfowl.

Artificial Lights
It is illegal to hunt deer or bear with the aid of any artificial light including laser sights.

Transportation of Firearms
A person may not transport or possess a shotgun, rifle or crossbow in or on a motor vehicle unless the firearm is unloaded in both chamber and magazine or the crossbow is unloaded or taken down.  A loaded firearm may be carried or possessed in a motorboat while legally hunting migratory game birds.
A muzzleloader is considered unloaded when the cap is off the nipple, the primer is removed, the primer powder is removed from the flintlock pan, or the battery is not in an electric-fired muzzleloader.
A crossbow is considered unloaded when it is uncocked. A crossbow is considered taken down when the limbs have been removed from the stock, securely fastened in a case, or locked in a trunk.