Goshen. Orange County seeks to expand junior hunting license opportunities

The Orange County Legislature’s Rules, Enactments and Intergovernmental Relations Committee last week voted in favor of a local law to include Orange County as an eligible area under New York State’s new hunting law for youths.

The state’s new Environmental Conservation Law Section 11-0935 would allow 12-and 13-year-old youths to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow under the direct supervision of an experienced adult hunter.

“Since I was a kid growing up in Orange County, I have enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending as much time as I can in the great outdoors,” Neuhaus said. “Hunting is a wonderful activity and often shared and passed down for generations in families throughout the County. This local law will help ensure that future generations enjoy and preserve the outdoors.”

Neuhaus and Orange County legislators Tom Faggione, a Republican who represents the City of Port Jervis and the towns of Deerpark and Mount Hope, and Paul Ruszkiewicz, a Republican who represents the towns of Minisink, Warwick and Wawayanda, generated interest and action in the local law, which passed the committee by a vote of 8-0.

The local law will move forward for vote at the Legislature’s next full meeting on May 6.

“Teaching young people safe and responsible hunting practices is a rite of passage for many families in our communities,” Faggione said. “I am proud to sponsor this county law.”