BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

This story was updated 12/28/23 at 11:31 a.m. to clarify the effective date of legislation

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation that largely outlaws some hunting and fishing competitions in an effort to curb “the wasteful taking of certain wildlife.” 

In a press release issued by the governor’s office, Hochul said the legislation targets contests, competitions, derbies and tournaments held for prize money or entertainment. 

The new regulations will go into effect in November 2024.

The new law now makes it illegal to organize, conduct, sponsor or take part in such competitions.

Department of Environmental Competition officials will now be able to seize wildlife taken during such competitions and participants can be fined anywhere from $500 to $2,000, according to the legislation. 

In the future, only competitions aimed at targeted wildlife management of certain populations will be lawful in New York. 

The move from the governor will likely have an impact on many competitions, with numerous fishing derbies, rabbit hunts and other competitions held throughout the course of the year. In many cases, those competitions are used as fundraisers to assist families and organizations in need. 

“Protecting wildlife is critical to fostering the integrity and resilience of our environment and our outdoor recreation economy,” Hochul said in the statement. 

“This legislation establishes strong safeguards for our state’s precious wildlife species and protects our important fishing and hunting traditions.”

In the release, state officials cited wildlife such as coyotes, crows, squirrels and rabbits as species that are killed in large numbers as parts of the competitions that are now outlawed. 

Competitions excluded from the legislation include contests related to the hunting of white-tailed deer, turkeys, bears and fishing competitions. 

Hochul said those competitions are being excluded due to the “careful regulations by the state.”