Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hunting Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Legislature extends county authorization for rifle big‑game hunting through 2028
Summary
After debate about public safety and conservation, Tompkins County legislators voted to endorse state bills extending authorization for big-game hunting by rifle in the county until 2028; the measure passed with a recorded vote of 13–2.
The Tompkins County Legislature voted June 2 to endorse state legislation extending authorization for big-game hunting by rifle in the county through 2028.
The member-filed resolution, introduced by Mike Sigler, cited prior local experience with the pilot program and testimony from conservation officers that rifle hunting had not increased injuries. Sigler said the pilot had been "very, very safe" and urged continuation of rifle authorization. Supporters across several districts noted the role hunting plays in managing deer populations and providing local food sources.
Opponents raised objections to expanding rifle hunting to include bears and expressed personal and public-safety concerns. Legislator Iris Pacman said she supports deer management but was uncomfortable with the inclusion of bear hunting, and another member spoke of family trauma related to guns and indicated they would vote against the measure.
After debate the resolution passed by a recorded vote described in the meeting as 13–2. The resolution endorses state bills (Assembly A11481 and Senate S10583 as cited in the meeting) and asks county representatives to support the legislative extension; it does not change local criminal or firearms law.
