Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting NY, Shotgun to Rifle - Did Many Switch?

In New York, this past year a bill was passed that allows big game hunting with a rifle in several counties that have always been shotgun only. I have been curious, what happened? Was there a rush to the local gunshop for a m70 or 700? Were hunters reluctant to leave their old trusted 870 or Deerslayer at home? It was reported that there were no accidents in the affected counties due to use of rifles but I have been wondering if many people were using them. Anyone know? My county was not included.

call up a few of the gunshops in the counties that changed ask them....

Southerntier....yep...I'd say a few things changed. One thing was, I've been asking around and trying to find out for sure, this was the safest hunting season on record in the southern tier...NO accidents in the new counties that could be blamed on THE use of a rifle.

A local shop close to me couldn't give away a slug gun this past year...he had a banner year selling rifles. MANY of his customers drove in from far off to have him order one. Those he brought in to stock on his shelves didn't last two days...couldn't keep a rifle on the shelves. A lot of the typical deer cartridges were sold in Rem, Ruger and Savage. He sold a few T/C's and win's also. He sold mostly bolt guns and a few straight case leverguns.

I saw over on Greybeard that there is a bill introduced that will allow Chautauqua Co. this next season....it's been "referred" to the DEC. I know what county you are in and it wouldn't hurt if some of you get to pressuring the legislature for acceptance also.

This was a good move even though it was a long time coming. Now the other counties that are the same as Catt. and Allegany need to be included.

Personally I was all set on rifles so I didn't need to buy anything...just drove a half mile up the road to Catt. Co. and had a ball. I have acreage here in Chaut. Co. and hunted it and the surrounding properties with my Encore pistol and my .50 cal muzzleloader. NO shotgun slugs for me...junk in my opinion.

I lived in Chautauqua county for 30+ years..hunted wuth handguns for 25 of those yaers as I prefreed them to the shotgun. I was instrumental in getting the handgun laws changed back in the early 80's to include rifle calibers in handguns( ie contenders,xp's etc). Wrote letters to the DEC and legislature in regard to the rifle legislation. As I understand it Chautauqua county opted out of the rifle deal as a result of a few fellas from the Chautauqua county sportsman federation. Narrow minded fellows I think. I was pleased to hear of the passage of the rifle bill and very suprised that Pataki signed it. I am sure Hillary had a fit!!!!!
I do hope that Chautauqua county has a change of heart this season...if so I will come home this season for the hunt...the trusty 300 Savage will come with me...or maybe the 25-06...or 280 rem....or well you know....

lonerider

WW - That is good news. I'm not sure exactly what happened in Steu. Co. Apparently there is a core group of old timers that is against rifles. Both Steu. and Chemung Co. were offered to be in on the bill but the county federation of sportsmen said no thanks. I will send a letter to the DEC sometime voicing my opinion.

Good that the local shops got some extra business. The small shops have gotten rare in these parts, they need all the help they can get. I have to drive over to Ackley's in PA if I want to actually handle to goods. There are a couple of small shops that can order in about anything.

I just don't understand people not prefering a rifle. Even as much as slug guns have been improved they still just aren't that accurate. My 1100 only likes certain brands of slugs..and don't ya know they are all about $13.00 a box. I have 2 rifles ready to go. One is a m94 in .32win. spc. that my grandfather bought in 1951. It would be really cool to take a deer with it some day. The other is a .30-06 I bought when I lived up North.

Thanks for your reply. Not fishing today?

I have dropped a lot of coin on Ackley's counter....It's a drive for me now to get there but still one of my favorite shops....If ya didn't know ya would think it just hardware store from the outside....Way cool on the inventory, especially the reloading stuff. AND the handgun cases have got to be the largest within a 100 miles.

If ya need it they got it or they'll get it in a day or two...good on my list of shops.

Schulthies Sporting Goods in Arkport NY is not too far from you either. They also have decent inventory, Gary the owner does a LOT of gun shows. Talk to Denny the gunsmith in there if ya make it down that way. Mention me as his friend who lived in Virginia a while and who shot with him at the Hornell Sportsmans Club....he'll know right off I sent ya.

The local dealers I talked to(Chenango county) did have a run on rifles. I was set as far as that goes. What I found disappointing is probally 19 out of 20 hunters I talked to were against it citing danger reasons. Even the largest percentage of hunters are pretty much clueless.

I was gonna go up to Catteragus Creek and try the steelheads but two things came up....my fishin' buddy got called to work at the last minute, and....did you guys get that WIND from the oncoming storm? Man, excuse my french here but..... it "blew like forty hells" here today. Knocked trees over. Took the roof off my woodshed. Got that patched up so the firewood will stay dry. I figured when I got up at 5am this morning it was about useless to try and swing flys in that wind. Never really let up until dark. Maybe next weekend.

I think attitudes will change after a few years. I'm confident the accident rate won't increase. Guys will want a more better firearm (rifle) like their friend just got.

WW - No, fortunately no wind here today. I was able to work outside in my shirt sleeves all afternoon. A nice April day. Probably snow like hell around time for trout season to open. It's raining hard now.

I grew up in Westfield... Where were you? If Chat. County sees the light, I may need to make a trip back to my old stomping grounds.

They just put out a warning on channel 2 a couple hours ago for heavy lake snow in Chaut. Co. and Catt. Co. until 6pm tommarrow night. it might make it to you...the wind is blowing your way...

We could get some good ones yet...the big lakes never froze over this year...ya know what that means....



More often than not round here...I love spring snow storms... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

There's a few deer up there in those grapes eh?

No one in my camp - They hunt near Friendship in Allegany county.

They'll probably make the jump one day but right now where they hunt a shot over 50 yards would be pretty unusual. Too much dead fall, and the neighbor logged and left all the top's laying (bum... wait - Cheap lazy bum).

The other side of the mountain was clear cut by a pulp outfit that turned the place into a brier patch for now and it's only about 12ft tall.

Spot

Nothing wrong with leaving the tops laying. They protect acorns and new trees from getting gobbled up by the turkeys and deer before they can make it up high enough.
Not to speak as to how the job was handled as a whole.

Never seen a logging outfit 'round here clean up tops...usually left layin' for wood burners like me to get <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Thats how I heat my house for pretty much free.

Too bad Freindship is not practical for me to haul wood from else I would be happy to go clean it up for ya. Might could ya get a local Freindship boy to go in there and get his wood out? You could even charge him $5 a truck load too...My neighbor next door is clear cutting 60% of 110 acres and has until end of next summer to get it done....I was pissed about the clear cut part cause it was some nice mature oaks that made bow hunting good, but on the other hand the under story will come in and make a heck of a bedding/breeding area...just have to adjust my methods to the new deer travel. Besides Dad and I got the go ahead to get the tops for firewood as soon as the logger clears this fall....Mo free heat for us...... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

added: Run a drive thru those tops about 3 days after opening day....you'll see some deer then....I've killed some bucks that were hiding in the tops mid day me just sneakin' thru with eyes wide open....

I hunt near Centerville and Hume. Listenign to the shots on opening day I believe most still used shotguns, although many I believe used the reg changes as an excuse to buy a new gun (nothing wrong with that). I did carry a rifle on my second trip down there, but didnt see anything. I will probably carry a rifle next year

For what its worth, it is great to see that the Savage 99 can be carried in its birthplace, once again. Mr. Savage would be glad to see that. Is this due to a population (human) decrease in those counties? If so, I bet most of them are living within 100 miles of me. Tough to be living here in paradise. Just so yall know, here it is 83 degrees, light breeze, and zero clouds. I can't wait to retire and move to, oh yeah, I already live here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

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.

Southerntier....I really liked the system Virginia uses as far as kids hunting...wish NY would follow suit. In VA, as long as a child is WITH you they can hunt big game and small game from the time they are able to pick up a firearm. It is only at age 12 and above that they are REQUIRED to purchase a junior hunting liscense after completing hunter's safety. I don't understand the legislative mind set in NY that hinders the growth of a new hunter....are we as parents and responsible adults that moronic that we can't take charge of our own kids in the woods? The best hunter ed comes from a Dad or Granddad or Uncle and the like....NY is stuck on stupid down in Albany...