Orleans votes to make rifles permanent for big game hunting

State Legislature needs to approve measure before it’s law

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature voted today to make rifles allowable for big game hunting, including deer and bears.

The County Legislature on Feb. 22, 2017 passed a resolution which was later supported by the State Legislature to allow rifles for big game hunting. That authorization will expire on Oct. 1, 2019.

The Legislature is asking the state to make rifles permanent for hunters.

“It has been a very clean and prosperous year for those of us with rifle hunting,” Terry Wiliams of Carlton told the legislators this afternoon. “It’s one shot and it’s over with. It’s very clean and neat.”

Williams said hunters have discovered fewer wounded animals since rifles were allowed. He said shotguns often take multiple shots, and sometimes don’t take down an animal, leaving them hurt.

Neil Newton of the Orleans County Sportsmen Federation thanked the legislators for backing the proposal to make rifles permanent. He said he is hopeful it will easily pass the State Legislature.

One county legislator, Fred Miller, cast the lone no vote. Miller also opposed it in February 2017. Miller thanked the sportsmen for advocating for the issue. He said he was pleased to see no one has been hurt in the county since rifles were allowed for big game hunting.

Miller said some local residents share their concerns with him about allowing rifles in a county with such flat terrain.

Miller also said he was hit by another hunter’s stray shot about 40 years ago when he was out with his dog on Allen Road, near the end of Clinton Street. Miller said he was hit by pellets from pheasant hunters. Miller said he was hit in the face and leg, and his dog also was hurt.

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