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Responding to a proposal from local hunter, the Legislature considered, but declined to support making a request to the State Legislature to enact legislation to allow rifle hunting for Big Game (deer) in Tompkins County.  The vote was 4-10, with Legislators Peter Stein, Jim Dennis, David McKenna, and Brian Robison voting in favor (Legislator Kathy Luz Herrera was excused).

Under the measure, the Legislature would have asked that special legislation be adopted amending the Environmental Conservation Law relating to the use of rifles for Big Game hunting within the County, and that such action be completed so that it could be in effect by the 2012 deer season.  Advocates point out that many counties throughout the state permit rifle hunting, that nearby Cortland, Schuyler, Ontario, and Madison Counties have passed similar resolutions supporting such legislation, and that there has been no increase in the incidence of hunting accidents since such rifle hunting has been permitted in the state.

Before the matter was considered, two citizens spoke in favor of rifle hunting and three against.  John Morey of Groton and Duane Hartman of Newfield told Legislators such rifle hunting is already taking place in Tompkins County for special purposes and other types of game, and is much more accurate that shotgun hunting.  Those speaking against included Ithaca Town Supervisor Herb Engman and Ulysses Deputy Supervisor Liz Thomas, who voiced both their personal concern and their municipalities’ formal opposition to the measure.

A number of Legislators said they had carefully considered the issue since it was first proposed—reviewing data and consulting their constituents on the issue.  Public Safety Chair Stein said his analysis showed no significant increase in deaths in counties that have allowed it over the past four years, and that there is insufficient evidence of danger from permitting the practice.  Acknowledging that “this is an issue that goes to each individual person’s core” and that rifle hunting and ammunition is already being used in the county, Legislator Brian Robison observed it would almost be safer to allow such hunting, rather than to not allow it.

While crediting many careful, safe hunters, many Legislators, however, said they did not see the need to request State action, especially in light of concerns constituents have expressed.  Legislator Dooley Kiefer said she sees “no compelling reason to do this,” especially in light of public concern.  Legislator Carol Chock noted that Department of Environmental Conservation rules unfortunately do not allow such hunting to be permitted in some areas of the county and not in others.  Legislators Pat Pryor and Mike Lane both said the change does not need to be requested now, Pryor calling for more public education to address public concern.

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