billy336-
The population in all of upstate NY has been decreasing but I haven't read that given as a reason for allowing rifles after all of these years. Seems it was part of a push the DEC has going to "offer more hunting opportunities". There is another bill to lower to 14 the min age for big game hunting, working it's way through the legislature this year. I'm not sure of its chances as it has been defeated by downstate anti's in the past.
