Pending NY Bill to Outlaw Fishing Tournaments?

[JackstrawIII]

Hey guys,

 

I just heard about a new bill (link below) being discussed in the NY state legislature that would outlaw any sort of competition, tournament, or derby involving the “taking of wildlife”.

 

The law is written somewhat obtusely, so it’s not readily clear whether non-kill events (such as bass fishing tournaments) will be included in this law.

 

Wondering if anyone has more info on this. Considering how many major fishing tournaments are held here, this would affect all the major fishing leagues. Wild. 
 

Anyone have more information on this? 
 

Ps. Here’s the link: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S4099

[Fishingmickey]

I found this after clicking your link to the bill:

This bill will make it unlawful for any person to organize, sponsor,
conduct, promote or participate in any contest, competition, tournament,
or derby with the objective of taking or hunting wildlife for prizes for
other inducement, or for entertainment. This does not include contests
for hunting white-tailed deer, turkey, bear, or fishing contests.

 

So it sounds like the fishing tournaments are safe for now.

 

FM

[TnRiver46]

Something like this happens all over America every few years,  never has legs. They’ve claimed they were going to outlaw fishing all together about a dozen times 

[JackstrawIII]

9 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

This does not include contests
for hunting white-tailed deer, turkey, bear, or fishing contests.

 

Oh man, I must have missed that part. I remember reading about how it doesn’t include deer, turkey, or bear hunting contests and I got distracted thinking, “I’ve never even heard about anyone ever having a contest to hunt any of those species.”

 

Glad fishing is safe, for now ????

[Tennessee Boy]

When I was a kid we used to have firefly catching contests in the neighborhood.   I guess that’ll be illegal too.  ?

[Bird]

If they outlawed fishing all together I'd likely become a raging alcoholic......and poach fish. 

[MN Fisher]

27 minutes ago, Bird said:

If they outlawed fishing all together

Won't happen in MN - Fishing generates $4.4billion in economic impact (resorts, boat rentals, bait and tackle sales) and fishing license sales account for 1/4 of the state DNR's Fish and Game Fund revenue.

 

Plus: this was made part of the State Constitution. Article XIII

"Sec. 12. PRESERVATION OF HUNTING AND FISHING. Hunting and fishing and the taking of game and fish are a valued part of our heritage that shall be forever preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good. [Adopted, November 3, 1998] "

[flyfisher]

1 hour ago, Fishingmickey said:

I found this after clicking your link to the bill:

This bill will make it unlawful for any person to organize, sponsor,
conduct, promote or participate in any contest, competition, tournament,
or derby with the objective of taking or hunting wildlife for prizes for
other inducement, or for entertainment. This does not include contests
for hunting white-tailed deer, turkey, bear, or fishing contests.

 

So it sounds like the fishing tournaments are safe for now.

 

FM

Amazing what happens when people actually read the links they post...I mean it is the top paragraph pretty much on the link.  

 

[JackstrawIII]

12 hours ago, flyfisher said:

Amazing what happens when people actually read the links they post...I mean it is the top paragraph pretty much on the link.  

Haha true, but in my defense, when you click the “Download bill text PDF” on the top of that page, the downloadable PDF does NOT include fishing in the list of exceptions to the rule. That’s what I read. I’ve read it now like 4 times and fishing is not allowable in that version. 
 

Seems strange that they should be different, but it’s true.
 

Either way, hopefully nothing to be concerned about. 

[flyfisher]

On 7/22/2023 at 7:36 AM, JackstrawIII said:

Haha true, but in my defense, when you click the “Download bill text PDF” on the top of that page, the downloadable PDF does NOT include fishing in the list of exceptions to the rule. That’s what I read. I’ve read it now like 4 times and fishing is not allowable in that version. 
 

Seems strange that they should be different, but it’s true.
 

Either way, hopefully nothing to be concerned about. 

Yeah here in VA there are always crazy laws up for discussion and potential passing during legislative time in teh spring and they rarely pass.  All it takes are a couple of the general assembly to think it is a good idea and it can be put on the dockett for discussion.

[volzfan59]

@MN Fisher, TN did the same thing several years ago. Now that I live in AR, I'll have to check.

[Bdnoble84]

On 7/21/2023 at 4:55 PM, JackstrawIII said:

Oh man, I must have missed that part. I remember reading about how it doesn’t include deer, turkey, or bear hunting contests and I got distracted thinking, “I’ve never even heard about anyone ever having a contest to hunt any of those species.”

 

Glad fishing is safe, for now ????

 

this would probably affect any hunting dog trials.

[MickD]

It seems to me that the last sentence in the paragraph is in direct conflict with the first sentence.  If all the exceptions are made, what is left to prohibit?  

[JackstrawIII]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

If all the exceptions are made, what is left to prohibit?

My thought was maybe birds? Perhaps there are pheasant hunting competitions somewhere in the state? I haven’t heard of them, but they could be out there. 

[Kirtley Howe]

If they really wanted to outlaw fishing and/or fishing tournaments, all they have to do is raise the price of fishing licenses to some outrageous amount, and radically increase the fines for fishing without a license. Neither of those would require any new legislation.   But it won't happen. as the state makes too much money from selling licenses and the sales tax on sales of fishing tackle, boats, and fishing equipment and assorted fees charged for sponsored tournaments. Not to mention the tourist dollars.....