Ortt statement on passage of Niagara County big game hunting by rifle bill

Submitted by the Office of New York State Sen. Rob Ortt 

Sportsmen will now be able to hunt big game by rifle in Niagara County with the signing of Senate bill S.8382B by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The bill allows hunters to take deer and bear by rifle hunting throughout Niagara County except within the cities of Lockport, North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls. Any municipality that wishes to opt out has that option as well.

“Niagara County was one of only a few counties throughout the state where rifle hunting is prohibited – and I thank the governor for signing this important bill allowing sportsmen to take big game by rifle,” New York State Sen. Ortt said. “I’d also like to thank our community partners, local electeds, and my state colleagues for working together to help bring this legislation to fruition. County residents requested their elected representatives to get this done, and I’m proud to say we delivered.” 

Assemblyman Mike Norris said, “Despite being a largely rural county, Niagara County was excluded from the list of counties allowed to use rifles for big game hunting. As the representative of the eastern Niagara towns in the state Assembly, it was important to me this matter was addressed, and I would like to thank Sen. Ortt and the governor for closing this loophole in state law in support of our local hunters and sportspersons.”

Assemblyman Angelo Morinello said, “The residents of Niagara County deserve the right to hunt big game by rifle just like many other counties in the state already do. This bill will allow more hunting opportunities for the residents and attract more sport hunting and fishing tourism to the county, which can spur economic growth.” 

Niagara County Legislator Shawn Foti said, “We appreciate Gov. Hochul, Sen. Ortt and assemblymen Morinello and Norris getting this legislation done. Our Niagara County gun owners' rights advisory was a huge proponent of this bill, because it expands the hunting experience in our community and brings our regulations in line with the vast majority of counties in the state, including our neighbors in Orleans and Genesee.”

The bill went into effect once the governor signed it, and simply amends existing conservation laws at no cost to taxpayers.