Thiele Deer Management Proposal Signed by the Governor
New law is second of three bill package to be enacted in 2014; Legislation adds weekends to the January hunting season in Suffolk; Bill enacted in April reduced the setback from 500 feet to 150 for long bows
Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation proposed by State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. and State Senator Ken LaValle which expands deer hunting opportunities in Suffolk County during the January season. The new legislation permits Saturday and Sunday hunting opportunities during the January season in Suffolk County. In addition, it makes clear that long bows may be used during the January season. Shotguns and muzzling loading firearms are already permitted by law during the January season. In addition, the law permits Towns in Suffolk County to waive the requirement of a town permit during the January season. A State permit is required and the additional town permit has been viewed by many as unnecessary bureaucracy.
The new law is the second of a three bill package sponsored by Thiele and LaValle. The first bill was approved in April as part of the State Budget process. That new law reduces the setback from buildings for deer hunting from 500 feet to 150 feet, thereby opening up additional areas for deer hunting.
These two new laws were recommendations made by the DEC as part of its State Deer Management Plan. The proposals were also strongly supported by East End Town and Village elected officials.
A third proposal has been approved by the Legislature and is currently awaiting action by the Governor. This legislation would require the State to include non-lethal fertility control as part of the State Management Plan in addition to lethal methods.
Thiele stated, “The recent population explosion of white-tailed deer on Eastern Long Island threatens public health, public safety, personal property, and the environment. Local municipal deer management plans describe the uncontrolled increase in population as an emergency, requiring immediate action. Without controlling the deer population, human health and safety will continue to be put in jeopardy. These three bills taken together will provide news tools to manage the deer population. A balance of lethal and non-lethal methods is critical to formulating an acceptable plan.”