Safari Club International opposes this bill because it will reduce hunting access. SCI opposes all emotionally or politically based management decisions, like this one. Just a few years ago, experts in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Lead Ammunition Working Group considered, but did not recommend, a ban on lead-based ammunition. These experts found that such a ban “would come with significant social costs, potentially compromising the effectiveness of other conservation efforts.” Among other things, the Working Group pointed out the costs and challenges related to availability of lead alternative ammunition, and the potential reduction of hunting activity on public lands and associated impact on deer management.
Legislatively banning the use of more affordable and more readily available traditional ammunition across all publicly available state hunting lands will undoubtedly hurt hunter recruitment and retention in New York. Non-lead ammo is harder to find and more expensive, and will provide yet another barrier for those wishing to hunt on New York’s public land and lands that fall within the water supply of New York City—especially for new hunters and youth hunters without experience sourcing or hunting with non-traditional ammo. Fewer hunters and target shooters will adversely affect conservation funding in New York. Additionally, the law purports to mandate the type of ammo that a private landowner whose land might possibly provide surface water to New York City can use. This provision is difficult for landowners to abide by and significantly impacts private property rights.
Please contact your Assemblymembers and Senators to express your opposition to Assembly Bill 1089!