Governor George E. Pataki (R) has signed into law NRA-supported legislation. S. 918/A. 4853, which allows sportsmen to hunt deer and bear in the southern tier counties with rifles, goes into effect immediately and allows hunters to use rifles during open season for deer and bear in the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chenango, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Oswego, Otsego, Schoharie and Tioga, as well as certain rural towns on Broome County in those areas east of the Susquehanna River.
Thank you to all who were involved in the passage of this important legislation. Special thanks to bill sponsors' State Senator Dale M. Volker (R-59) and Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte (D-138) for their tireless effort on behalf of gun-owners in New York.