Seneca County is moving to extend a local law through 2026 that allows 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt deer with adult supervision, according to the Finger Lakes Times. The Agriculture and Environmental Committee has recommended a public hearing for August 12.
The current law, adopted in 2024 after a state pilot program ended, aligns with New York’s broader effort to encourage safe, supervised youth hunting. The DEC reports no incidents or violations since the program began and notes it boosts conservation funding through license sales.
With strong satisfaction among young hunters and their mentors, local leaders see the program as both a safety success and a tool for managing deer populations.
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