Earlier today, May 28, the Erie County Legislature successfully overrode County Executive Mark Poloncarz’s veto of Local Law 3-1, Youth Hunting Law.
Thanks to your grassroots support and the eight county legislators who stood strong for our heritage, Erie County will finally opt into the state’s youth big game mentored hunting program. This monumental win leaves Rockland County as the final eligible holdout in New York State, preventing its youth from participating in these time-honored family hunting traditions.
Take a brief moment to use the button below to send a thank-you email to legislators, Frank Todaro (lead sponsor), Chris Greene (co-sponsor), Lindsay Lorigo, John Mills, Michael Kooshoian, John Bargnesi, John Gilmour, and Timothy Meyers for fighting for Erie County youth and securing this crucial supermajority vote.
Thank You for your Support button – https://www.votervoice.net/sportsmen/Campaigns/137733/Respond
What does this mean?
This means Erie County will join 52 other eligible counties across New York State in the highly successful youth big game hunting program.
About the Youth Big Game Hunting Pilot Program
This program allows licensed 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow. To participate, youth must follow strict state guidelines:
- Complete Hunter Education. Must pass the state-certified safety course and hold a valid license.
- One-on-One Mentorship. Must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or designated adult over 21.
- Experienced Oversight. Mentors must have at least three years of big game hunting experience.
- Strict Field Safety. Requires 250 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink.
- Ground Hunting Only. Elevated tree stands are strictly prohibited for participants.
Facts Over Politics
As previously reported on May 15, County Executive Mark Poloncarz turned his back on our hunting heritage, local families, and state-certified safety data by vetoing Local Law 3-1. His veto was a direct insult to Erie County’s outdoor community.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reports zero hunting-related shooting incidents involving 12- and 13-year-old junior hunters since the pilot program launched in 2021. Despite these flawless safety figures making youth the safest demographic in the field, County Executive Poloncarz chose to ignore the facts.
Your Actions Delivered This Win
We knew we had the necessary votes to override his short-sighted veto, and our legislative allies delivered exactly that outcome today.
Don’t forget to share this important update with your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen who live in Erie County. Let them know, standing strong together, we can protect and defend our future today. Urge them to join you and the Sportsmen’s Alliance in protecting what is ours.
Your actions today secure our traditions for tomorrow and the future.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance guarantees hunting, fishing, and trapping for the American sportsman now and forever. We’re there when sportsmen need us most. We are the only organization specifically created to protect the individual hunter, angler, and trapper – no matter the threat. We will never compromise when it comes to defending our way of life in the courts, in the legislatures, in the public square and at the ballot box. We make this promise to the American sportsman: we will never give up and never give in while proudly securing our future against those seeking to destroy our values, beliefs, and traditions.
Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
