S4099

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Kennedy that prohibits killing wild animals in contests, competitions, tournaments, and derbies for prizes and entertainment, with a vote of 46-15 on Calendar Number 1143, Senate Print 4099. The bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to prevent what Kennedy called the "wanton waste" of wildlife resources, while explicitly preserving legitimate hunting for food and population control. Kennedy emphasized the measure does not constitute a hunting ban and aligns New York with other states that have enacted similar protections. "This simply says that the wanton waste of wildlife, one of our state's most precious resources, shouldn't continue," Kennedy said. Opponents, led by Sen. Oberacker, argued that wildlife contests serve legitimate dual purposes, including fundraising for volunteer fire departments and community gatherings, and that the bill fails to address wildlife management concerns such as predator population control. Oberacker, an outdoorsman and farmer, expressed concern about coyote populations and contended the measure overlooks important uses of these events. The bill takes effect November 1.