Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Two weeks ago, Erie County lawmakers were intent on taking another shot at allowing 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt with adult supervision, as part of a state opt-in program.
However, just as he did in 2021, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says any bill that proposes youth hunters in the county will be vetoed upon arrival to his desk.
"I coached hockey, I know what 12- and 13-year-old boys are like, and even with mentors, they do bad, goofy things. I don't think it's appropriate," said Poloncarz on the proposed bill. "I've talked to hunters who don't think it's appropriate. This is not prohibiting a child from hunting outside of Erie County. If they do it with their parent, they could go to Cattaraugus and Chautauqua. I just don't think it's appropriate for Erie County."
The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) offers the program, where counties can opt-in to allow a 12- or 13-year-old to go out with a licensed adult hunter to be out in the field and learn gun safety for the type of animals they are hunting.
The only other county in New York that has elected not to opt-in to the DEC program is Rockland County. Poloncarz says their county executive Ed Day, a retired police officer, feels the program is ridiculous.
"He's actually come out and publicly said he just thinks this isn't inappropriate, and that's why he is not allowing it in Rockland. I've said all along, I just don't support it," he added.
Poloncarz says he's heard from quite a number of hunters who also believe there's no 12- or 13-year-old that should be having that kind of gun.
"These are serious weapons," Poloncarz said.
"I come from a family in which people hunt. I do not, but my brother's a hunter, my nephews are hunters, my father is a hunter. And there's very few people that I talk to who actually feel like it is appropriate for 12- or 13-year-old to have that type of weapon in their hands, even if there is a mentor. Because the chance for a serious injury or death is real.
"It's not uncommon for every year for the news to report one or two deaths of hunters in Western New York that were shot by others. I'd feel really bad if I signed a piece of law into legislation and a 12- or 13-year-old got shot because of someone else's actions, knowing that I could have prevented that by vetoing that law."
Poloncarz adds he's heard from people from as far out as Idaho and Wyoming about what the county is electing to do by vetoing bills like this.
"They're entitled to their opinion, and they can call and send an email. But I'm interested more about what the people of Erie County think," he said.
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