“At my door the leaves are falling a cold wild wind will come,” I Still Miss Someone, Johnny Cash.

The opening lines of the song remind me that I will not be archery hunting with my crossbow when the season opens on October 1, 2023. In New York, crossbow users cannot begin to hunt with the crossbow until, (see link for your open season) https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html#Deer.

This means I will not be able to enjoy the pleasant weather in October observing the changing colors of falling leaves, watching the migration of the southbound waterfowl, seeing the scampering rabbits and squirrels as they continue to bulk up for the long winter.

Assemblymember Carrie Woerner introduced a bill that would have designated crossbows as archery implements. It included young hunters and elderly hunters, of which I am one. I do not tolerate the vagaries of the winter season like I did for many decades.

The NY Senate passed the companion bill by a vote of 59-3. I was ecstatic and believed the Assembly Environmental Committee, with a new Chairperson would likely vote in a similar positive manner and the bill would be sent to the Assembly floor for a final vote. I waited for the vote.

The New York Crossbow Coalition urged members to call, email and send letters to the Assembly members on the Assembly Environmental Committee in support of the bill. I waited for the vote.

Time was of the essence. It was June and the legislature was scheduled to end its deliberations soon. I waited for the vote. The Assembly extended its session to complete its business. Maybe, the bill would go to the floor as part of the special order of business. I waited for the vote. And, then the Assembly concluded its session and I had no news on the fate of the crossbow bill.

I was taught that bills were written, sent to relevant committees where the pros and cons of the bills were discussed and debated. The committee would vote up or down on sending the bill to the floor.

What happened to the crossbow bill? I waited for the vote.

I am trying to learn the fate of the bill. I heard the chairperson decided not to bring the bill forward. I heard the leadership decided against bringing the bill forward. Why would this happen? What is the opposition to the bill, to discussing it, to debating or to voting it up or down?

I would like to know if there is a final report on the committees’ activities and how I can obtain a copy of it. How many bills were sent to the committee and how many were discussed, debated and voted upon?

I feel very strongly that I am entitled to know what the legislators felt were positive aspects of the bills and what they deemed to be negative aspects.

I do not begrudge the legislators their salaries and benefits. I understand they have many, many major issues that impact millions of people and crossbows being designated an archery implement may not be a top priority, but I expect that citizens and sportsmen of New York are entitled to a clarifying account of all bills that were introduced.

To say I am disappointed the bill was not passed, may be an understatement. I look forward in the next few months to having my concerns addressed.

Addendum:

The Department issues two individual permits authorizing use of devices that are otherwise prohibited:

• The first is a modified longbow authorization (Modified Longbow Authorization - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation) that allows the use of a bow equipped with a device for holding and releasing the bowstring. This authorization is available to individuals who are physically incapable of arm movement sufficient to draw, hold, and release a long bow.

• The second is a modified crossbow permit (Modified Crossbow Permit - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation) which allows qualified individuals to use a crossbow equipped with a breath tube that allows release of the crossbow bolt by the discharge of the individuals breath. This permit is available to individuals who are permanently physically incapable of arm movement sufficient to release a pre-drawn bow.

If neither of these authorizations are sufficient to allow the individual to partake in hunting activities, then the individual may submit a reasonable accommodation request pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which will allow for the use of an unmodified crossbow during the bow seasons.

Any of these authorizations are allowed to be used during the bow season in any area open to bow hunting.