Current Actions

Banning Venison Donation Would Have a Negative Impact on Food Access

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Take immediate action on a bills that directly affects our hunting traditions, wildlife management efforts, and the communities we generously help feed.

Bill A10352 & S9473, which would prohibit the donation of game harvested with lead ammunition for human consumption. If passed, these bills would significantly reduce the amount of venison donated each year—tens of thousands of pounds that currently go to families in need through programs supported by the DEC, Feeding NYS, the Venison Donation Coalition, Hunters Helping the Hungry and numerous local organizations. It would also risk undermining deer population management by discouraging harvest, especially among hunters who rely on donation programs to make full use of their tags.

Equally important, there is no widely accepted, conclusive scientific evidence showing that properly processed venison harvested with lead ammunition poses a meaningful health risk. Yet these bills would remove a critical food source and set a precedent for further restrictions on our hunting practices.

Your voice matters. The strength of our community lies in our willingness to stand up, speak out, and protect both our traditions and the people who benefit from them.

Support Erie County allowing 12-13-year-olds to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow during hunting season with the supervision of a licensed adult.

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Support a local law allowing 12–13-year-olds to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow during hunting season with the supervision of a licensed adult. State law already permits it - Erie County is the only county in Upstate New York that still refuses to opt in.
The County Executive vetoed this in 2021 citing safety concerns. The DEC’s data shows zero hunting-related shooting incidents, violations, or license revocations involving youth hunters over the past five years. (https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/1213yrolddeerhunting2025.pdf)
Parents - not government - are best equipped to decide when their children are ready to learn safe, responsible hunting. This is a supervised opportunity to teach safety, discipline, and respect for the outdoors. It’s time Erie County gets out of the way.
View the full text of the law here: http://bit.ly/4cP42as

Member Alert - Ban proposed by the "Big Five African Trophies Act"

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Senate Bill S5014 and Assembly Bill A1616

This legislation would prohibit the importation, transportation, and possession of legally obtained wildlife products from the following African species:

African elephant
Lion
Leopard
Black rhinoceros
White rhinoceros
Giraffe