The county executive, who vetoed a similar measure five years ago, has not changed his position.
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Author: Dave McKinley
Published: 9:24 PM EST February 26, 2026
Updated: 9:24 PM EST February 26, 2026
BUFFALO, N.Y. — A member of the Erie County Legislature is proposing a local law that would allow hunters as young as 12 years old to take deer with a firearm while under adult supervision.
It is similar to a measure passed by lawmakers five years ago which was ultimately vetoed by County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
According to a spokesperson for Poloncarz, the County Executive has not changed his position.
Young hunters
In 2021, New York State state passed a new section of the environmental conservation law allowing 12 and 13 year old’s to hunt deer with firearms under adult supervision under a pilot program
But counties had to pass a local law to opt in.
Five years later, Erie County remains one of just two across the state where deer hunting with guns is permitted that has not passed such a law.
“Unfortunately, at the present time, I have to take my son, to another neighboring county to participate in this program,” said Legislator Frank Todaro (R-8th District), who is sponsoring the local law which was sent to committee on Thursday.
Tried before
When a similar measure came before the County Legislature in 2021 it passed with bipartisan support but with not enough support to override the veto of Poloncarz, who in his veto message said:
“Neither myself or any future County Executive should ever have to read a child fatality report regarding the accidental death of 12 or 13 year old child because this law went into effect under my signature.”
Poloncarz further claimed there were “many unfortunate firearm hunting accidents across the county and state, especially those involving youth hunters.” Even though the data at the time indicted there was no basis for that claim.
Todaro said he decided to re-introduce the measure again after a report released by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) earlier this month.
Report indicates no problems
The report revealed that since the pilot program began in 2021 there have been no hunting related accidents involving 12 and 13 year old’s, nor even a single violation or license revocation involving hunters of that age.
That’s out of more than 63,000 licenses granted to 12 and 13 year old’s which generated approximately $1.3 million in funding for the state’s environmental conservation efforts.
“The proof is in the numbers,” said Todaro. “So I figured this would be an opportunity to reintroduce it, and hopefully we can not receive a veto from the County Executive.”
With the Poloncarz spokesman indicating that the County Executive hasn’t changed his position, however, it’s an indication that another veto could come even if if lawmakers pass the bill again.
Although, the County Executive’s opposition may someday become moot as the DEC report also recommends that the pilot program be made permanent under state law and that the requirement for counties to pass a local law to opt into it be removed.
Exposing the Big Game 