Mark Poloncarz just vetoed a new Erie County law that would have let 12 and 13-year-olds hunt big game (including deer) under adult supervision.

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• Erie County Executive vetoes law allowing young teens to hunt big game | wgrz.com

Author: Tommy Gallagher (WGRZ)

Published: 5:03 AM EDT May 16, 2026

Updated: 5:03 AM EDT May 16, 2026

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz vetoed legislation Friday that would have allowed children ages 12 and 13 to hunt big game, including deer, under adult supervision

The county executive cited safety concerns despite no recent hunting-related child deaths reported in New York.

RELATED: Youth hunting bill introduced in Erie County Legislature

The law had been passed by the Erie County Legislature and would have expanded hunting access to younger participants under the supervision of a licensed adult.

In explaining his decision, Poloncarz said that while New York has not seen a death involving young hunters in recent years, deadly accidents involving children have occurred elsewhere. County legislators previously said they plan to seek a supermajority vote in an effort to override the veto.

“If they override this veto and a child dies in the future, my conscience will be clear knowing I did everything I could to try to prevent that tragedy,” Poloncarz said.