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Legislative Alert
Associations Compile Joint Southern Zone Deer Season Proposal
Thank you letter from CANY
I am not willing to pay
more for less opportunity!
Letter To Commissioner Grannis To Get Archery Season Opened Oct 1st, 2009
Letter To Commissioner Grannis From President: Gary Socola
State Bowhunter and Muzzleloader Associations Compile Joint Southern Zone Deer Season Proposal
Canandaigua, NY -9/18/09 -New York Bowhunters, Inc. (NYB) and the New York State Muzzleloader Association (NYSMLA) have been working jointly for several months on a southern zone deer season proposal that allows both parties to meet their objectives. Copies of the proposal have been sent to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Wildlife (DEC) and other Sportsmen’s organization throughout New York State.
The DEC desires to increase the harvest of antlerless deer in their effort to effectively manage the whitetail deer herd as well as allow for a weekend of early hunting opportunity for junior big game firearms hunters. The NYSMLA wishes to have an early “primitive” muzzleloading season and NYB seeks to restore lost hunting opportunity that occurred with the implementation of the 2005 big game restructuring regulations. Therefore, both organizations reached out to one another to work on a sensible proposal that would be acceptable to firearms hunters, muzzleloader hunters, bowhunters, the DEC and to the general public. The timing of the proposal coincides with the DEC’s scheduling of public meetings this September and October regarding the state of the deer herds in New York.
The DEC recently scheduled public meetings in an effort to “capture the issues that are important to sportsmen, particularly as they relate to bag limits, season structure and tag options. We (DEC) hope to receive feedback from meeting participants that helps us (DEC) prioritize the issues that are important for NYS deer hunters and the public” stated DEC Wildlife Biologist Jeremy Hurst. Information on these meetings can be found by going to the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/57795.html.
The NYB/NYSMLA joint proposal would restructure the southern zone hunting seasons as follows;
• Open the 23-day regular firearms season on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
• Open the early archery season on October 1st, ending on the Friday prior to the beginning of the regular firearms season.
• Allow for a weekend of junior (ages 14 & 15) big game hunting opportunity on the weekend prior to the opening of the regular firearms season.
• Open a 5-day antlerless-only “primitive” muzzleloading season on the Monday prior to the beginning of the regular firearms season, ending on the Friday prior to the beginning of the regular firearms season.
NYB President, Gary Socola stated, “The DEC follows a progression of weaponry in the northern zone, starting with archery season, muzzleloader season and then progressing into the regular firearms season. The NYB/MYSMLA proposal follows the precedence already set by the DEC.” Socola indicated that he has records over the past two years showing that bowhunters have sent over 8,000 letters and signatures on petitions to DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis asking that the DEC open the early southern zone archery season on October 1st . “I’ve heard people complain that bowhunters are greedy and that they kill all of the bucks prior to the firearms season”. Not true says Socola,
“Statistically bowhunters take a very small percentage of bucks when compared to the regular firearms season take. In my 31 years of bowhunting experience, I have never met a more sharing and caring group of hunters.” If we want to “harvest more antlerless deer and expose new hunters to the outdoors, why are we taking early season bowhunting time away from archers and at the same time increasing their license and permit fees, asked Socola?”
New York States 2009 southern zone early archery season is the latest opening date in the Northeast states Socola,
“let’s get our youth, seniors, persons of disability and all hunters out earlier in the season so that they can enjoy our natural resources in better weather while helping the DEC control our expanding deer herd.” The states of
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia all have early archery season opening dates in September. Maine opens up on October 1st in most areas, Pennsylvania and Vermont open on October 3rd and Massachusetts on October 12th . Having an archery season opening date on a Saturday is not as critical for bowhunters as it is for firearms hunters. An October 1 opening date is an easily recognizable date and also coincides with the DEC’s licensing year.
Socola added, ”Let’s not forget that the economic impact of hunters being afield for additional hunting days would add a huge influx of funds into the states sagging economy. More time afield has a direct correlation to monies spent.” According to a US Fish and Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife, New York’s 1.2 million hunters and anglers spent $5 million a day for a total of $1.8 billion. Annual spending by New York’s sportsmen is equal to the combined cash receipts for dairy products and apples, two of the top agricultural commodities in the state ($1.8 billion).
NYSMLA President, Bill Brookover (Black Powder Bill) is excited about the possibilities this proposal offers. “The NYSMLA has tried for over 10 years to get a primitive muzzleloader season in the southern zone. This proposal will allow us to do that and also allows provisions for the youth and for bowhunters. Bowhunters and muzzleloader hunters are not at odds with one another in New York State. This is not a hunter issue but a season issue created by the DEC’s current season structuring. By working together, our organizations are showing sportsmen throughout New York State that we can put aside any differences and work together towards our common goals.”
Pennsylvania (PA) has had an early muzzleloader season since 2000. The PA early muzzleloader season regulation states “Those wishing to hunt deer during the flintlock muzzleloading and muzzleloading seasons are limited to single-barrel long guns manufactured prior to 1800 or a similar reproduction.” PA also offers a special firearms season for junior and senior hunter. “Brookover states “Our joint proposal will allow the youth and seniors a chance to hunt in better weather. With the NYSMLA/ NYB proposal, kids can strike out after school for a late afternoon bow hunt because of the later sunset time. The antler-less primitive week will give families a chance to work together as a team instead of dropping Papa, Sally Mae & Jr. off at tree stands 200 yards apart. You’ll not see a dozen hunters driving deer through a block of woods either.”
The straightforward proposal will allow increased hours a field during warmer weather with a sunset later in the day and provide a regular firearms season pre-Thanksgiving weekend opener. What better week to start the regular season? Many hunters are off the following Thursday & Friday and can take off the whole week using only three additional vacation days. Brookover added, “Our proposal will provide more and often more agreeable -deer hunting opportunities for families, kids, seniors, persons with physical disabilities and just about every hunter across the board.”
New York Bowhunters, Inc. was formed in 1991 to promote bowhunting, educate hunters and non-hunters, and to fight anti-hunting legislation. NYB annually runs youth archery camps, a physically challenged program and supports special projects such as the “Gift Boxes for Troops” and helped establish an archery range for troops serving in Iraq.
The New York State Muzzle-loaders Association was born from the Tryon County Militia in 1977 and is "dedicated to the continuing support of black powder events, people, and legislation." The NYSMLA has over 40 affiliated clubs throughout New York State. The NYSMLA has 6 major events in 2009. The first event was the "Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon” held in March and the last will be the 18th annual "Primitive Rendezvous & Hunt." The Rendezvous will be held just outside Inlet, NY at the Moose River Plains wilderness area October 9th -16th with Visitors day Sunday October 11th 10:00am till 5:00 pm.
NYB can be contacted by phone at 585-905-0961 or by email at nyboffice@newyorkbowhunters.com or check out their website at http://www.newyorkbowhunters.com/. For information about the NYSMLA contact them at NYSMLA Inc., 200 Clifford Drive, Vestal, NY 13850 or by email at bpb@frontiernet.net or by checking out their website at http://www.nysmla.org/.
-END
Dear NYB Member,
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW! THIS IS A TRUE "RED ALERT".
Our legislators are being approached now with several bills affecting the archery season. Bills in the Senate and Assembly deal with the inclusion of crossbows. Attached in this email are two letters for your signature to be sent to Assemblyman Sweeney and Senator Thompson. You can use these letters as a guide in writing your own letter, which is preferred or you can sign the attached and send them in directly as is. It is imperative that these letters are sent in ASAP. Better yet, email them and also send a letter. Your archery season depends on it! This is not a false alarm where we can become complacent. I assure you, these will be the most important letters you will sign and send in all year long. So act now!
NYB needs its members to step
up and be assertive.
Make
telephone calls to district offices and to
Also attached is the
CROSSBOW 2010
BILLS and EnCon MEMBERS LEGISLATION
SHEET.
This sheet list the bill numbers, their sponsors and what each
bill entails.
IT IS OF THE
UPMOST IMPORTANCE THAT YOU LOOK AT THE SHEET AND FIND OUT IF YOUR
COUNTIES LEGISLATOR IN THE SENATE OR ASSEMBLY IS SUPPORTING THESE BILLS
OR IF A MEMBER OF THE ENCON COMMITTEE IS FROM YOUR COUNTY.
If they are listed on this
sheet and are from your county, you need to send them a separate letter,
email or place a phone call to
them ASAP.
THE attached EN CON Members 2010
listing
has the contact information.
New York Bowhunters, Inc (NYB) has nothing against crossbow use where
legal. They are legitimate hunting tools. However, they are
not bows and do not meet the definition of a bow set by every state,
provincial and national bowhunting organization and no animals harvested
with a crossbow are eligible for entry into the Pope and Young Club
record books. Therefore,
they cannot and should not be allowed in any archery only season or
area.
Some crossbow proponents misquote and twist data to support their cause,
while NYB goes by facts and hard data based on scientific studies and
information provided by state game depts.
Crossbow proponents state that the inclusion of crossbows will
increase archery sales in cash strapped NYS.
The example most cited is the state of Georgia (GA), which
proponents say showed an increase in archery license sales revenue when
crossbows were introduced into the archery season.
This statement is slightly true for the first year as about 1,000
more archery licenses were sold and true for the second year.
However, why is no data cited for years 3-7 up to 2009?
Because GA saw
significant drops in archery license sales over this 5 year period!
License sales decreased
by as much as 30,000 licenses when compared to pre crossbow license sale
numbers. So, after an
initial spike, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources experienced
an unprecedented 5 year drop in license sales after crossbows were
allowed in archery season and this trend continues today and GA is not
alone.
You may also have heard that NY is one of only two states that dont allow crossbows, this is incorrect. NYS has a Modified Crossbow Permit for individuals meeting a set disability criteria and a Modified Archers Permit which allows the use of adaptive equipment on conventional bows by individuals with disabilities. Only 14 states allow the use of crossbows during the entire archery season. Fourteen (14) states also allow crossbows for use only in the firearms season. You wont hear this from crossbow proponents!
In closing, please create your own letters or send these in ASAP.
Remember, we cant just send letters to the committee chairman;
therefore I call on you to do your part and to contact your local
legislators about these bills today.
The future of our sport depends upon it!
Regards,
Gary J. Socola
President
New York Bowhunters, Inc.
ENCON MEMBERS
DO District Office
LOB
ASSEMBLY CHAIRMAN
Robert
K. Sweeney, DO Lindenhurst, 631-957-2087, LOB 518-455-5787,
covering
MEMBERS
William Colton, DO
Marcos
A. Crespo, DO
Steven
Cymbrowitz, DO
Adriano
Espaillat, DO
Michael N.
Gianaris, DO
Deborah J. Glick, DO
Aileen
M. Gunther, DO
Ellen
Jaffe, DO
Brian
P. Kavanagh, DO
Micah
Z. Kellner, DO
George
Latimer, DO Mamaroneck,
914-777-3832, LOB 518-455-4897, covering
Barbara S. Lifton, DO
Donna
A. Lupardo, DO
Daniel
J. ODonnell, DO
William L. Parment, DO
Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, DO
Michelle Schimel, DO Great Neck, 516-482-6966, LOB 518-455-5192, covering
Matthew Titone, DO Staten Isalnd,
718-442-9932, LOB 518-455-4677,
titonem@assembly.state.ny.us
Harvey
Weisenberg, DO Long Beach, 516-431-0500, LOB 518-455-3028, covering
Kenneth P. Zebrowski, DO New City, 845-634-9791, LOB 518- 455-5735, covering
James
G. Bacalles, DO
Greg
Ball, DO Brewster, 845-279-5301,
LOB 518-455-5783, covering Dutchess, Putnam,
Daniel
J. Burling, DO
Gary
D. Finch, DO
Peter
D. Lopez, DO Catskill,
518-943-1317, Schoharie, 518-295-7250, LOB 518-455-5363, covering Chenango,
Ann G.
Rabbitt, DO
Joseph
S. Saladino, DO Massapequa, 516-844-0635, LOB 518-455-5305, covering
Teresa
R. Sayward, DO Glens Falls, 518-792-4546, Elizabethtown, 518-873-3803, LOB
518-455-5565, covering Essex, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren,
saywart@assembly.state.ny.us
Fred
W. Thiele Jr., DO Bridgehampton, 631-537-2583, LOB
518-455-5997, covering
SENATE CHAIRMAN
Antoine M. Thompson, DO
MEMBERS
Brian
X. Foley, DO Hauppauge,
631-360-3356, LOB 518-455-2303, covering
Suzi
Oppenheimer, DO Port Chester, 914-934-5250, LOB 518-455-2031, covering
Kevin
S. Parker, DO
Bill
Perkins, DO
Eric
T. Schneiderman, DO
Jose
M. Serrano, DO
Andrea
Stewart-Cousins, DO
Owen
H. Johnson, DO
Vincent L. Leibell
Elizabeth OConner Little, DO
Glens Falls, 518-743-0968, Plattsburgh, 518-561-2430, LOB 518-455-2811,
covering Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren, Washington,
little@senate.state.ny.us
Carl
L. Marcellino, DO Oyster Bay, 516-922-1811, LOB 518-455-2390, covering
Frank
Padavan, DO Bellerose,
718-343-0255, LOB 518-455-3381, covering
Catherine M. Young, DO
2010
CROSSBOW LEGISLATION
A00924A/S06793- Allows DEC to set standards, regulations, and seasons for the crossbow.
Assembly Sponsor:
DelMonte- Niagra, LOB 553
Co-Sponsors:
Gordon-
Giglio- Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, LOB 550
Gabryszak- Erie, LOB 920
Powell-
Schroeder- Erie, LOB 510
Lupardo- Broome, LOB 557
Multi-Sponsors:
Amedore- Montgomery,
Bacalles- Steuben, Yates, LOB 439
Crouch- Broome,
Hawley- Genesee,
Kellner- Manhattan, LOB 834
Magnarelli- Onondaga, LOB 519
Molinaro- Columbia, Dutchess, LOB 532
OMara- Cheming, Schuyler, Tioga, LOB 720
Quinn-
Rabbitt- Orange,
Sayward- Essex,
Scozzafava- Jefferson, Lewis,
Townsend-
Senate Sponsor:
Valesky- Cayuga, Madison,
A00740/S02943- Allows disabled to use the crossbow provided they submit their status to the DEC.
Assembly Sponsor:
Gunther- Orange, Sullivan, LOB 435
Co-Sponsors:
Magee- Madison,
Multi-Sponsors:
Calhoun- Orange,
Cusick-
Giglio- Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, LOB 550
Ortiz-
Weisenberg- Nassau, LOB 731
Senate Sponsor:
Nozzolio- Cayuga,
A07100A/S02204A-Create a Junior Small and Big Game License, and allow for the use of the crossbow.
Assembly Sponsor:
Gunther- Orange, Sullivan, LOB 435
Co-Sponsors:
DelMonte- Niagra, LOB 553
Schroeder- Erie, 510
Ball- Dutchess, Putnam,
Gordon-
Senate Sponsor:
Volker- Erie,
Co-Sponsors:
DeFrancisco- Onondaga, LOB 802
Maziarz- Monroe, Niagra,
Ranzenhofer- Erie,
Seward- Chenango,
Winner- Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins, Yates, LOB 415
Young- Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua,
Environmantal Conservation
Committee
Assembly Chairman:
Sweeney-Suffolk, LOB 625
Members:
Colton- Brooklyn, LOB 733
Crespo-
Cymbrowitz- Brooklyn, LOB 538
Espaillat-
Gianaris- Queens, LOB 742
Glick-
Gunther- Orange, Sullivan, LOB 435
Jaffee-
Kavanagh-Manhattan, LOB 431 Peoples-Stokes- Erie, LOB 619
Schimel- Nassau, LOB 324
Titone-
Weisenberg- Nassau, LOB 731
Zebrowski-
Bacalles- Steuben, Yates, LOB 439
Ball- Dutchess, Putnam,
Rabbitt- Orange,
Thiele- Suffolk, LOB 427
Burling- Allegany, Genesee,
Finch- Broome, Cayuga, Chenango,
Lopez, P.- Chenango,
Sayward- Essex,
Senate Chairman:
Thompson-
Members:
Foley- Suffolk, LOB 905
Oppenheimer-
Parker- Brooklyn, LOB 412
Perkins-
Schneiderman- Bronx,
Stewart-Cousins- Westchester, LOB 805 Johnson, O.- Suffolk, LOB 812
Marcellino- Nassau,
Leibell- Dutchess, Putnam,
Little-
Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton,
Young- Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua,
LOB -
Send letters to the legislator in your county listed above to the addresses
below ASAP!
SENATE
ASSEMBLY
The Honorable...........
The Honorable .........
Legislative Alert
Alert In PDF
Alert In Word
There are currently 28 schools from 21 school districts in the pilot program for the National Archery in Schools Program of New York (NASP-NY). There are a total of 127 NASP Basic Archery Instructors (BAI) trained so far here in New York in 8 NASP training classes. There are currently 14 Basic Archery Instructor Trainers (BAIT) in the state and five have volunteered to help train this past year. NYB region 8 Representative Larry Hilderbrant assisted in 4 out of the 8 NASP training classes.
Melissa Bailey, NASP-NY Coordinator, is hoping to have a BAIT training class in the next six months and will be looking for new BAIT candidates soon. Therefore, any interested NYB members looking to become NASP certified Basic Archery Instructor Trainers should be contacting Melissa by email at mrbailey@gw.dec.state.ny.us or by phone at 315-793-2269.
Melissa reports that there is also going to be the First Annual NYS NASP (virtual) tournament this year. To date, four schools have signed up. Schools will be shooting at their school locations in March and will be sending Melissa their scores in order to compete against one another.
There currently are eight additional schools that have teachers trained that are looking for funding for NASP equipment. Herm Trombley a physical education teacher from Sandy Creek Central School (SCCS), located in DEC region 7, was trained to be a NASP Instructor. Due to budget constraints, Sandy Creek Central School was unable to purchase equipment for the program. New York Bowhunters, Inc. (NYB) along with other concerned sportsmen's groups covered the cost of the NASP equipment. When asked what the donation is being used for, Trombley said This will help put a bow in the hands of about 800 students this year and into the future at SCCS. In the NASP program all the children shoot the same bow at the same distance and using finger release. This is a great opportunity for our children to learn a life long skill.
NYB President Gary Socola stated We have been extremely excited about the NASP program and what it has done for our youth in other states and in the countries of Canada and Australia. Were glad its finally in New York, a state rich in archery tradition. The SCCS program will be offered in grades 4th thru 12th. The NASP program cost about $2800.00 for all the equipment with the largest donation to SCCS of $1400.00 coming from New York Bowhunters. The Oswego County Federation of Sportsman worked together with NYB and other organizations within the region to make additional donations.
NYS Schools currently in the NASP are as follows:
Washington Middle School- Jamestown
Jamestown High School- Jamestown
Persell Middle School- Jamestown
Jefferson Middle School- Jamestown
Frazer School K-8- Syracuse
Nottingham High School- Syracuse
Fabius Pompey- Fabius
Groton CSD- Groton
Jordan Elbridge CSD- Jordan
Holy Cross Academy- Oneida
Oneida CSD- Oneida
South Lewis CSD- Turin
Cazenovia CSD- Cazenovia
Adirondack CSD- Boonville
Franklin CSD- Oneonta
Little Falls High School- Little Falls
Cato-Meridian CSD- Cato
Richfield Springs High School-Richfield Springs
Sandy Creek CSD- Sandy Creek
Brookfield CSD-Brookfield
Baldwinsville CSD- Baldwinsville
Rome Free Academy- Rome
Strough Middle School- Rome
Staley Upper Elementary School- Rome
Colton-Pierrepont CSD- Colton Pierrepont
Cooperstown CSD- Cooperstown
Camden CSD- Camden
Anyone having further questions about the NASP program in New York State should contact Melissa Bailey by email at mrbailey@gw.dec.state.ny.us or by phone at 315-793-2269.
Photo depicts New York Bowhunters Oswego County Representative Mike Cambareri
delivering a donation check to Sandy Creek Central School PE teacher Herm
Trombley. Mr. Trombley is holding a Mathews Genesis bow, the same bow used in
the NASP program.
ACT NOW
Sample
Letter To Commissioner Grannis To Get Archery Season Opened Oct 1st, 2010
Sample Letter In Word
Sample
Letter In PDF
Letter to Senator Gillibrand
Letter In Word
Letter To Commissioner
Grannis From President: Gary Socola
PDF Required
Click Here
Join NYB in Supporting Our Troops
In the last 3 years, NYB members and friends have donated 406 gift boxes (2,000 lbs) to our overseas troops. NYB is once again asking for your support by bringing a gift box to our annual Banquet on April 4th. The boxes should be the size of a shoebox or larger, filled with items that might be needed, such as prepaid phone cards, hygiene products, reading material, snacks, etc. Gift boxes should be unwrapped, taped closed, labeled for man or woman, with a brief description of contents.
If you cannot attend the Banquet, but would like to make up a gift box or a cash donation, please contact your County Rep for pickup.
Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.
Thank you. Ed Gorch, Board Of Directors
For more info(518) 634-7139; annaed@mhcable.com
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Enclosed is a generic response letter from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), regarding our request to open the southern zone archery season on an earlier date in October and the New York Bowhunters (NYB) response letter to DEC Commissioner Grannis. It is obviously apparent that the DEC is not going to respond in a positive manner to our request. Therefore it is necessary that we now go up the chain of command and contact our state legislators. The DEC regulatory authority has been grated to them via the privilege of the state legislature. The state legislature updates this privilege every three years and what has been giveth in the past can be taketh away in the future. In other words our elected legislators have leverage on the DEC to grant this well justified request. Therefore it is imperative that we do the following;
#1. Contact the chairmen of the
Environmental Conservation Committees in the New York State Senate & Assembly.
Enclosed is a generic letter for these chairmen, Senator Carl Marcellino and
Assemblyman Robert Sweeney. If you send these letters, remember to place your
address and date at the top of page and sign the letters at the bottom. You can
also contact these gentlemen at the following;
Carl Marcellino: phone - (518) 455-2390, e-mail
marcelli@senate.state.ny.us Robert Sweeney: phone - (518) 455-5787, e-mail
sweeney@assembly.state.ny.us
#2. Contact your individual legislators, as they will respond positively to the constituents that vote them into office. You can obtain the addresses, phone number, office locations and e-mail addresses via the following web sites;
#3. Flood the DEC wildlife e-mail address with your comments at fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us
#4. Spread the word at your clubs, to fellow bowhunters and at local DEC offices.
Remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so start squeaking and keep at it as our persistence will inevitably pay off!
Senator Carl MarcellinoLegislative Office Building, Room 812
Albany, New York 12247
Dear Senator Marcellino,
In 2005 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) enacted a regulation change, contrary to my concerns, that opened the southern zone, early archery-only season on the Saturday after Columbus Day, ending on the 3rd Friday in November.
As a result of this regulation change the 2008 early archery season in the southern zone opens on October 18th, resulting in a shortened 28 days as compared to a 35 day season in 2007. Thus the 2008 season is seven (7) days shorter than the 2007 season and up to ten (10) days shorter when compared to the old season structure that always opened on October 15th and ended on the Sunday before the regular gun season. Prior to enactment of this regulation change, DEC officials gave bowhunters their assurance, that in exchange for our support to open the regular big game southern zone season on a Saturday, as opposed to the then current Monday opening date, we would be compensated for this loss of hunting opportunity by opening the early archery-only season on October 1st. NYB gave their support and the DEC eventually reneged on their promise. Many attempts to engage the DEC in a working dialog on this issue has been frustratingly fruitless.
I am asking you for your assistance to annually open the southern zone, early archery season at the beginning of the license year on October 1st with a season closure on the 3rd Friday in November.
Thank you for listening to my concerns and I am hopeful that your office can assist bowhunters in our justified quest to restore weekend hunting opportunity to the southern zone archery-only season.Sincerely yours,
Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney
Legislative Office Building, Room 837
Albany, New York 12248
Dear Assemblyman Sweeney,
In 2005 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) enacted a regulation change, contrary to my concerns, that opened the southern zone, early archery-only season on the Saturday after Columbus Day, ending on the 3rd Friday in November.
As a result of this regulation change the 2008 early archery season in the southern zone opens on October 18th, resulting in a shortened 28 days as compared to a 35 day season in 2007. Thus the 2008 season is seven (7) days shorter than the 2007 season and up to ten (10) days shorter when compared to the old season structure that always opened on October 15th and ended on the Sunday before the regular gun season. Prior to enactment of this regulation change, DEC officials gave bowhunters their assurance, that in exchange for our support to open the regular big game southern zone season on a Saturday, as opposed to the then current Monday opening date, we would be compensated for this loss of hunting opportunity by opening the early archery-only season on October 1st. NYB gave their support and the DEC eventually reneged on their promise. Many attempts to engage the DEC in a working dialog on this issue has been frustratingly fruitless. I
I am asking you for your assistance to annually open the southern zone, early archery season at the beginning of the license year on October 1st with a season closure on the 3rd Friday in November.
Thank you for listening to my concerns and I am hopeful that your office can assist bowhunters in our justified quest to restore weekend hunting opportunity to the southern zone archery-only season.
Sincerely yours,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bowhunters Send Gift Boxes to Troops Serving in Iraq
LaFayette, NY - 4/10/07 - New York Bowhunters, Inc. (NYB) just held their 12th annual Banquet in Syracuse, NY on March 31st. This is the organizations biggest fund raiser of the year. For the second consecutive year, NYB members have collected Gift Boxes to be forwarded to troops serving in Iraq and other countries around the world. Boxes contain hygiene products, socks, magazines, etc. for the troops and cost NYB about $1/lb to ship around the world.
The program within NYB was the brain child of NYB member Ed Gorch. This year Ed enlisted the help of friends, neighbors, churches and organizations in NYS to assist the members of NYB bringing Gift Boxes to the 2007 Banquet. Donations were received from Troop 4 Cub Scouts from Schoharie, Sunny Hill Golf Course, Norton Hill Wildlife Club, Greene County Federation of Sportsmen, Catskill Wal-Mart and the First Church of Albany, along with many individuals and NYB members. Ed states Last year we collected 85 boxes, which totaled 420 lbs. This year at this time we have 170 boxes and counting. The men, women and children that collected these boxes are trying to let the troops know they support and care for them. Ed explains that there is a website www.anysoldier.com where individuals can go to learn more or to help directly themselves.
New York Bowhunters, Inc. was formed in 1991 to promote bowhunting, educate hunters and non-hunters, and to fight anti-hunting legislation. NYBs Banquet helps to raise money for the various programs NYB runs throughout the year such as their youth archery camps, youth hunts, physically challenged program and supports special projects such as the Boxes for Troops and the establishment of an archery range for troops serving in Iraq.
NYB can be contacted at P.O. Box 619 LaFayette, N.Y. 13084 or by phone at 315-696-6365.
The North American Bowhunting Coalition (NABC)
PO Box 493 Chatfield, MN 55923
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CD On Assisting The Physically Challenged and Aging Bowhunter Released
Chatfield, MN - 4/3/07 - The North American Bowhunting Coalition has released their educational CD entitled Adaptive Equipment for the Physically Challenged and Aging Bowhunter. The creation of the CD took well over a year to produce and includes hundreds of hours of research time. The CD is based on successful Physically Challenged programs being run in New York and Montana with its funding being provided by New York Bowhunters, Inc.
The adaptive equipment depicted and described in the CD are currently in use throughout North America. Many states and provinces have set up Physically Challenged programs through their bowhunting organizations. These programs utilize the adaptive equipment to assist bowhunters both within and out of their respective states. The CD provides aging and Physically Challenged bowhunters the direction required for them to once again enjoy the outdoors with bowhunting gear.
NABC Physically Challenged Chairman Gary Socola states There is a misconception by aging bowhunters or bowhunters that have gone through a life changing injury that they can no longer hunt with conventional archery gear and therefore, need a crossbow or firearm to continue to hunt in the outdoors. This CD provides the tools and direction to get these individuals back into bowhunting. NABC Chairman Denny Ballard commented that The outdoor bowhunting community was in dire need of an educational tool which could assist game agencies, bowhunting organizations, legislative representatives, archery related businesses, physical therapists, medical professionals and the general public about the adaptive equipment available to assist bowhunters of all ages and physical challenges.
A horrific car accident left George Bolender of New York a quadriplegic, but his passion for bowhunting didnt stop. Using adaptive equipment, George has successfully harvested several big game animals with his bow while seated in his wheelchair. George believes this CD is the most comprehensive information available on assisting the physically challenged bowhunter.
The North American Bowhunting Coalition (NABC) was formed in 2005 and is comprised of state, provincial and national bowhunting organizations and works on behalf of current and future generations of bowhunters to promote, preserve and defend the ideals of bowhunting. The Adaptive Equipment CD can be ordered directly from the NABC, free of charge at PO Box 493 Chatfield, MN 55923. The educational program can also be viewed in its entirety on the NABC website at http://www.nabowhuntingcoalition.com/. For additional information, please contact Gary Socola, NABC Physically Challenged Chairman at 585-624-2419. The organizations next major project will be a similar educational CD on Urban Deer Management Programs.
BOWHUNTING COALITION MEETS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dennis R. Ballard (573) 696-3202 August 18, 2006
Forty representatives of 30 state and provincial-level bowhunting organizations attended the annual meeting of the North American Bowhunting Coalition held at the Pope & Young Club's headquarters in Chatfield, Minnesota on August 12-13. Conferees discussed important bowhunting issues and charted action on a number of concerns including assisting the aging and physically challenged bowhunter, Sunday hunting, crossbows in bow seasons and high fence hunting.
Rick Story, Senior Vice President of the U. S. Sportsmen's Alliance, updated the group on anti-hunting initiatives of the Humane Society of the United States and the pressing issues of state-level sportsmen's organizations. Story highlighted legislation that would expand bowhunting in some states and legislation that would restrict bowhunting in others. He illustrated the need for members to get involved locally, as well, by focusing on anti bowhunting ordinances that have been passed in several cities.
The state of Alaska will become the 40th state to implement the National Archery in the Schools Program, so reported Roy Grimes, NASP National Director. The rapidly growing school archery program is expected to reach 700,000 students by the end of next year. Kevin Stay, NASP coordinator for Brennan Industries, maker of the Genesis bow, said nine additional states have a NASP program in the planning stages.
Wisconsin Bowhunter Association's Mike and Rose Brust unveiled the NABC's new website with a live Internet download from www.nabowhuntingcoalition.com.
Coalition project directors reported on the completion of important action items. Gary Socola, New York Bowhunters, briefed the coalition members on the CD-formatted "Adaptive Equipment for the Aging or Physically Challenged Bowhunter" program. The CD illustrates the different ways conventional bows can be adapted for use by disabled and aging bowhunters. It will be widely distributed and is currently available for download on the NABC website.
Steve Link, Washington State Bowhunters, outlined how state/provincial organizations can increase their productivity and effectiveness. Link's 14-point presentation emphasized the best practices that have been utilized by successful bowhunting groups.
Terry Receveur, Indiana Bowhunters Association, presented a descriptive seminar on high fence hunting and David Tetzlaff, president of the Traditional Bowhunters of Florida, directed a lively discussion following his presentation on the World Hunting Association's concept of competitive, televised hunting. NABC members universally condemned the WHA's plan to shoot whitetail deer with tranquilizing darts within fenced enclosures, labeling this venture as an affront to fair chase hunting.
Chatfield, MN - A meeting of the state and provincial-level bowhunting organizations was held at the Pope & Young Clubs headquarters in Chatfield, Minnesota on August 6th & 7th to further address important bowhunting issues that were identified at the National Bowhunting Summit held in Springfield, Missouri last April.
Attended by 41 representatives of 33 organizations in 29 states and Canadian provinces, the Minnesota conferees completed a crossbow position statement, were taught by experienced bowhunting activists how to strengthen their political skills and how to build a more effective bowhunting organization. They addressed the increased anti-bowhunting threat, began work on a program to assist physically challenged archers to shoot modified conventional bows and developed plans to prepare a position paper on high fenced hunting. Dr. Dave Samuel served as moderator for the conference.
The attending organizational reps of the National Bowhunting Summit group established the North American Bowhunting Coalition (NABC). Denny Ballard, of Missouri, was elected chairman of the coalitions steering committee. A significant action taken was to assign boundaries to four NABC regions that encompass the entire North American continent. All state and provincial-level bowhunting organizations are automatically part of the NABC by virtue of their status as a state or provincial-level bowhunting group.
The overall purpose of the NABC is to provide a communications link and organizational structure whereby the state and provincial organizations can effectively work together to provide strong support for the welfare of bowhunting throughout the United States and Canada.
Denny Ballard, NABCs new chairman says, Its hard to believe that, up to now, three million bowhunters in the U.S. and Canada have had no national level representation in matters that have directly affected their sport. That day has passed as the North American Bowhunting Coalition will provide a forum for bowhunters, through their state and provincial-level bowhunting organizations, to protect and support bowhunting as national issues are deliberated. Its only fair and right that the men and women that have been pulling the load for bowhunting over the years have a say in where their sport is heading.
As the result of the National Bowhunting Summit meetings it was abundantly clear that the organized bowhunting community is strongly opposed to the growing trend by game agencies of permitting crossbows to be used in bow seasons. A position statement on the crossbow issue was developed and was signed on to by 72 bowhunting organizations and bowhunting related businesses. The position taken is that, crossbows are not bows and therefore should not be permitted in bow seasons or in archery-only hunting areas.
Our coalition organizations are the bulwark of bowhunting, Ballard said. They have opened the entry gate for thousands of new archers to enter our sport throughout decades of service to their local communities and have been reliable partners of our state game agencies as well. We know bowhunting and have earned our place at the table. Crossbow hunting has not.
We see dangers, too, in promoting the commercial profiteering of crossbows at the expense of our natural resources, Ballard said. Its a slippery slope. No user group exists for crossbow hunting and yet the public trustees of our natural resources are being pandered to by crossbow manufacturers and the commerce of hunting to allow crossbow hunting in bow seasons when no public interest exists.
For the protection and welfare of bowhuntings future, the North American Bowhunting Coalition looks forward to working with the many entities that comprise the continents bowhunting community
NABC chairman Denny Ballard can be contacted at twangdrb@earthlink.net.
Aug. 5, 2005
To Whom It May Concern,
The representatives of 32 state and provincial-level bowhunting organizations met on April 17-18 in Springfield, Missouri at the first NATIONAL BOWHUNTING SUMMIT. The purpose of the summit was to share information and develop strategies to resolve issues of greatest concern and to establish a permanent communications network of bowhunting organizations that will work together on behalf of bowhunting.
A major issue addressed by the summit attendees was the use of crossbows during archery-only hunting seasons. It was immediately apparent that the attendees were unified as being strongly opposed to the use of crossbows in any bowhunting season. State and provincial representatives unanimously agreed that crossbows are not bows and should not be allowed in archery-only seasons.
A hunting bow is recognized as a compound, recurve or longbow that is hand-drawn and that has no mechanical device to enable the hunter to lock the bow at full or partial draw. Crossbows, on the other hand, are locked at full draw by a trigger, utilize a rifle-like stock, have rigidly controlled internal ballistics, can readily be shot from a rest and typically use a telescopic sight. A crossbows characteristics are so vastly different from those of conventional bows that summit attendees agreed that crossbows would negatively impact bowhunting seasons if allowed in archery-only seasons.
While the group recognized and supported the rights of hunters who choose to use other legal weapons in separate hunting seasons, they stood unanimously opposed to any effort to establish hunting season regulations where the ultimate aim is the inclusion of crossbows in bowhunting seasons or in archery-only areas.
The below signed organizations and bowhunting-related businesses have joined the National Bowhunting Summit conferees in believing that, in order to preserve the integrity of bowhunting, it is vital that crossbows not be permitted in bow seasons or archery-only hunting areas.
Respectfully,
Alabama Society of Traditional Bowmen
Alaskan Bowhunters Association
Alberta Bowhunters Association
Alberta Traditional Bowhunters
Archery Big Bucks of Missouri
Archery Past (OR)
Association of Traditional Hunting Archers
Bayou State Bowhunters (LA)
Bobs Archery Sales (CO)
Bowhunting Council of Oklahoma
Bowhunters of Alabama
Bowhunters of Wyoming
Carolina Traditional Archers
Traditional Bowhunters of Montana
Colorado Bowhunters Association
Traditional Bowhunters of Washington
Compton Traditional Bowhunters
United Bowhunters of Connecticut
Georgia Bowhunters Association
United Bowhunters of Illinois
Green Mountain Traditional Bowhunters
United Bowhunters of Kentucky
Horse Creek Traditional Archery Club (FL)
United Bowhunters of Missouri
Idaho State Bowhunters
United Bowhunters of New Jersey
Idaho Traditional Bowhunters
United Bowhunters Pennsylvania
Illinois Bowhunters Society
Virginia Bowhunters Association
Indiana Bowhunters Association
Wakulla Archery Club (FL)
Iowa Bowhunters Association
Washington State Bowhunters
Iowa Traditional Bowhunters Society
Washington State Archery Association
Kansas Bowhunters Association
West Virginia Bowhunters Association
Lone Star Bowhunters Association (TX)
Wisconsin Bowhunters Association
Maine Bowhunters Association
Maine Traditional Archers
Maryland Bowhunters Society
Massachusetts Bowhunters Association
Michigan Bow Hunters Association
Michigan Traditional Bowhunters
Minnesota Bowhunters, Inc.
Mississippi Bowhunters Association
Missouri Bow Hunters Association
Montana Bowhunters Association
Nebraska Bowhunters Association
Nebraska Traditional Archers
New York Bowhunters, Inc.
North Carolina Bowhunters Association
North Dakota Bowhunters Association
Northern Bowhunters Association (AB)
Ohio Bowhunters Association
Oregon Bow Hunters
Pennyslvania Association of Traditional Hunting Archers
Pope and Young Club
Professional Bowhunters Society
South Carolina Bowhunters Association
South Dakota Bowhunters, Inc.
Suburban Whitetail Management of North Georgia
Suncoast Archers, Inc. (FL)
Tallahassee Bowhunters Association (FL)
Traditional Bowhunters of California
Traditional Bowhunter Magazine
Traditional Archers of New
Jersey
Traditional Archers of Oregon
Traditional Bowhunters of Florida
Traditional Bowhunters of Georgia
May 2, 2005
Dear Archery Trade Association Board of Directors:
On April 17 & 18, 2005 representatives of state, national and Canadian
bowhunting organizations met in Springfield MO at the National Bowhunting Summit
to share information and unite to protect the future of bowhunting.
We universally consider the intrusion of crossbows into archery seasons as the
most imminent and critical threat to the future of bowhunting as we know it. We
are in unanimous agreement that crossbows are not bows and have no place in
archery seasons, except where already allowed for the physically disabled.
We agreed that bowhunting, like most other sports, needs to have a leadership
organization to set standards and limits that insure and protect its future.
Historically, archery manufacturers and their leaders took on some of that
responsibility and put the best interest of bowhunting before their own.
After reviewing your Position Statement About Crossbows and learning of other
activities to undermine our bow seasons, it appears at this time that we cant
depend on the ATA to help us win this battle against crossbows as bows. In fact
it is now clear that in large part, it has been the effort of our own ATA that
we have been fighting against. It is bitterly disappointing to realize that we
may have to spend large portions of our individual and collective resources to
defeat those that we had actually expected to be leaders in protecting our sport
and heritage.
We find it difficult to understand how the interest of a non-archery product can
control the Archery Trade Association, especially when that product threatens to
displace or destroy most of what your industry and our sport were built upon.
In our opinion, your stated position is clearly not in the best interest of
bowhunting. Given that, and to avoid more potential conflicts that will hurt us
all, we respectfully request that ATA instead take a leadership role in clearly
disassociating crossbows from conventional archery equipment and absolutely
opposing the further intrusion of crossbows into any bowhunting season.
Please consider this carefully and understand that, with or without the ATA, we
will, together with our members and responsible bowhunters everywhere, take
action on every front to protect the integrity of bowhunting.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Alaskan Bowhunters Association
Alberta Bowhunters Association
Bayou State Bowhunters
Bowhunters of Alabama
Colorado Bowhunters Association
United Bowhunters of Connecticut
Traditional Bowhunters of Florida
Traditional Bowhunters of Georgia
Idaho State Bowhunters
Idaho Traditional Bowhunters
United Bowhunters of Illinois
Illinois Bowhunters Society
Indiana Bowhunters Association
Iowa Bowhunters Association
Kansas Bowhunters Association
United Bowhunters of Kentucky
Maine Bowhunters Association
Michigan Bow Hunters Association
Minnesota Bowhunters, Inc.
Mississippi Bowhunters Association
Missouri Bow Hunters Association
United Bowhunters of Missouri
United Bowhunters of New Jersey
New York Bowhunters, Inc.
North Carolina Bowhunters Association
North Dakota Bowhunters Association
Bowhunting Council of Oklahoma
Oregon Bow Hunters
Traditional Archers of Oregon
United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania
South Dakota Bowhunters, Inc.
Lone Star Bowhunters Association (TX)
Washington State Bowhunters
Washington State Archery Association
Virginia Bowhunters Association
Wisconsin Bowhunters Association
Bowhunters of Wyoming
Suburban Whitetail Management of North Georgia
Georgia Bowhunters Association
Nebraska Bowhunters Association
Archery Big Bucks of Missouri
South Carolina Bowhunters Association
Michigan Traditional Bowhunters
Massachusetts Bowhunters Association
Traditional Bowhunters of Washington
Compton Traditional Bowhunters
Professional Bowhunters Society
Pope and Young Club
New York Bowhunters, Inc.
P.O. Box 1157
Canandaigua, NY 14424
phone - 585-905-0961
e-mail - nyboffice@newyorkbowhunters.com
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