Assemblyman Joe Giglio (R,C,I-Gowanda) today announced Gov. George E. Pataki has signed into law legislation allowing hunters to use rifles when hunting deer and bear in the Southern Tier and other locations in the state. The measure is part of an effort to control growing wildlife populations and prevent destruction caused by a large number of the animals.

The law allows rifles to be used during the regular hunting season in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chenango, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Oswego, Otsego, Schoharie and Tioga counties, as well as portions of Broome County east of the Susquehana River.

Prior to the law’s enactment, hunters in the counties mentioned could only use pistols, shotguns, muzzle-loading firearms or long bows to hunt deer and bear. Because rifles are preferred by many hunters, it’s expected the number of hunters in these counties will increase.

This year’s big game hunting season in the Southern Zone runs from Nov. 21 through Dec. 13.