Author Topic: I have question about taking my son hunting??? (Read 1955 times)

NYH1 · « **on:** October 16, 2009, 07:43:50 PM »

My 8 year old son and I are going hunting this year. We're going to be small game and deer hunting. My question is, can he bring his BB gun? He can't get a hunting license and will only be carry it "because I'm carrying my gun", and to shoot twigs and other things we see in the woods.

If he can't carry it, he can't carry it. It'd be cool if he could though!

I haven't bought my hunting license yet or I'd look in the book.

bubba · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2009, 11:57:22 PM »

you can download the book in pdf form of the dec website. I would suggest calling a local eco and pose the question. My off the cuff answer would be sure he could but this is NY state

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2009, 05:06:49 AM »

I am not sure of the answer and would echo what bubba said about calling and ECO. I think it may not be a problem today. However, there is a proposed regulation out there (just saw it a few weeks ago) which would expand the definition of a "firearm" to include bb/pellet guns that can project at a certain velocity (not sure what the threshold is). Sportsman generally support this proposed reg and I think DEC has proposed it because of that but I wonder what it does to situations like yours, if that airgun is now considered a "firearm".

NYH1 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2009, 06:50:12 AM »

I just called the DEC, they actually answered the phone on a Saturday. They said he could only carry it if it is "UNLOADED". If we get caught with him carrying it "loaded", I can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. I just don't understand NY State. They complain that less people are hunting now then in years past and they have laws like this. We're not going to bring his BB gun. There is no sense in him carrying it unloaded.

Thanks for the replies.

kynardsj · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2009, 06:56:53 AM »

Good luck on your hunt. As far as the laws concerning it, that's just sad.

skylar957 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2009, 01:27:36 PM »

I can not believe that a kid is not allowed to carry a Loaded BB gun in the Woods! What has this State (Country) come to when an 8 Year old boy can't bring a Loaded BB gun into the woods. WE ARE DOOMED!!!!!

The Hermit · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2009, 04:16:19 PM »

I don't think a court anywhere would side against a kid with a BB gun. He's not hunting, he's target shooting. His constitutional rights are being violated. "Carry an unloaded BB Gun" BS.
Where in the hell has common sense gone?
Oh ya, tell him you can't shoot a crow on tuesday, wednesday or thursday either. PURE BS.
Sorry for the rant, but after putting up with this stuff for 7 decades, it's finally getting to me.

And people wonder why old farts loose it.

The Hermit

45-70.gov · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2009, 04:43:48 PM »

elections have consequences

when my boys were little
they often carried a muzzle loader pistol
capped with no charge........cocked and ready no safety
told not to touch the trigger
they carried it that way all weekend a few times

they never dropped the hammer until told to
wore safty glasses just in csae they disobeyed

Bigeasy · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2009, 04:48:41 PM »

NY Hunter-

I know of no law in NY that states a youth under direct supervision of an adult can not shoot a bb gun. The advice from the person you talked to does not make sense. If its against the law to load and or shoot said bb gun, then carrying it in the woods empty would still be prima facia evidence of a violation. You would be amazed how many cops don't know the law. As was stated before, get on line, and check. Try calling the state Atty Gen. Office, and get the name of the person you talk to, and the exact statute so you can look it up.

Larry

wreckhog · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2009, 12:17:45 PM »

Buy him a $10 airsoft at Walmart. There are thousands of insane laws on the books and more than a few websites that poke fun at them. The laws are never changed because too few people care about them.

BUCKDUSTER · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2009, 11:28:29 AM »

as far as i know, bb/pellot guns are NOT considered firearms. therefor, there is no juristiction about when and when you can carry/shoot them. i live in a village where the law says it is illegal to discharge a firearm. i am allowed to shoot my pellot gun though. i think it is an awesome idea for your son to carry his bb gun. it makes him feel like his pop, it teaches him disipline, and will help him learn what gun safety is all about. my boy is 4 and i let him carry his bb gun when we go hunt for squirrels. i do however keepit unloaded, but he is only 4!! once i trust he can understand the safety factor, he will carry it "loaded". myself and it seems the rest of the country is getting really sick of these intrusive rules, so of which don't even exist!! nys is really back about this issue. cant wait to get out of this state for that exact reason. it seems like i'm not the only one!! when are the americans gonna take back america!! i say hunt and be merry. teach your boy right from wrong. teach him gun safety and respect. good luck

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2009, 01:08:15 PM »

It's very hard to teach hunting and conservation to a 12yr. old when people call the police when ever they see a bb gun or paint ball gun.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2009, 01:31:04 PM »

My answer would be yes.
The same as you carrying a gun helping a buddy scout for deer or other game. Or carrying one to post property, fix fences, or other trips in the woods.
As long as he does not attempt to take game with the BB gun. (also helps if his BB gun is not capable of taking game, red rider type. My 760 crossman killed a number of rabbits and tree rats on dad's friends farm in NY when I was in my early teens and did not own a 22)
Hunting is the attempt to take game, not walking around in the woods with a gun.
What would be the difference of you walking with him in the woods not during hunting season?
Same as states that say you have to wear Orange while hunting. If not hunting you can wear the orange but do not have to.
I would dress the kid in orange. NO Browns at all.
I think it is a good way to get him to be aware of the muzzle of his rifle/ gun and to learn to walk around with out his finger on the trigger.
But it will be up to a game warden, if he writes you a ticket.

The Hermit · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2009, 03:16:14 PM »

I'll tell you what, if you or he gets a ticket for this BS, let me know and I'll have my lawyer defend you in court free.

The Hermit

Mikey · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2009, 02:32:33 AM »

New York Hunter - you can hunt but your 8y/o son cannot. He can carry his BB gun and target practice or plink but he cannot hunt, even small game, and he must be under your constant supervision and within your eyesight at all times.

Be smart and wear orange to be seen. Let's please not forget the young boy shot by his own father last year - the man had been drinking/using drugs and shot and killed his own son. Wearing orange should help keep you both safe.

Your primary source of concern for both of you should be other hunters. Personally, I would go back and check things out with bubba who works a lot with younger hunters and see if he has any further advice for you. Then I would have fun.

And I am with the Hermit on this one - seems that common sense has gone and left neu yawk, except in a few instances but the idjits who make the laws here have no common sense. jmtcw.

woodsdweller · « **Reply #15 on:** November 02, 2009, 09:24:53 AM »

this state is all wrong anyway. you can not even let a child under 12 fire a .22 in this state. my son and daughter both took the hunters saftey course at 11 and could not join in the shooting part. they had to go to another range and use a airgun. they had both been fireing a rim fire since they were 4, fire arm safty is not only taught its learned from repetive training hands on.

BUCKDUSTER · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2009, 12:48:57 PM »

kudos to the hermit

torpedoman · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:45:08 PM »

Why can't he hunt? my neighbors 8 yr old got a three by three buck, Hes one proud kid.

hillbill · « **Reply #18 on:** November 03, 2009, 02:07:48 PM »

i agree with the last poster, my son shot his first deer at about 8 yrs old, but then i live in mo.i know its easy for us to say, but GIT THE HELL OUT OF NEW YORK. lol i cant even imagine trying to raise a son in that kind of a setting.i know the "more laws than yu can shake a stik at" metality is spreading, but i think here we got at least 20 yrs afore we get where yu are.at least thats what im hopeing.

oldhunter · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2009, 06:55:47 AM »

Buckduster...........I also thought that BB guns were not listed as firearms until I stumbled across the NYS definition of firearms located on page 16 of NYS 2009-10 Official Guide To Laws & Regulations. It describes a Firearm as..... all guns, including handguns, rifles,shotguns, muzzleloaders and BB and pellet guns.

I do not agree with BB and pellet guns now classified as firearms as this means that they will be included in the regulations that say you can't discharge a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. No more backyard shooting unless you use a slingshot that can be more lethal than any BB gun.

oldhunter

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #20 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:04:03 AM »

Oldhunter,funny you said "slingshot" they are outlawed in westchester,but I think you can still throw rocks.
'

BUCKDUSTER · « **Reply #21 on:** November 28, 2009, 01:14:59 PM »

this state is ridiculous. my house has been for sale for 2 years. when some one buys, my family and myself are outa here. my son is 5. i'm hoping and, so is he, that he will be hunting by 8. bb gun a firearm. just silly

45-70.gov · « **Reply #22 on:** November 28, 2009, 01:34:46 PM »

Quote from: kitchawan kid on November 04, 2009, 07:04:03 AM

Oldhunter,funny you said "slingshot" they are outlawed in westchester,but I think you can still throw rocks.
'

IN FLORIDA IT IA A FELONY TO THROW A ROCK AT A MOVING CAR

youthpastorjon · « **Reply #23 on:** December 10, 2009, 08:05:01 AM »

Quote from: torpedoman on November 03, 2009, 01:45:08 PM

Why can't he hunt? my neighbors 8 yr old got a three by three buck, Hes one proud kid.

It's NY. You can't hunt till your 14.

ironglow · « **Reply #24 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:45:00 PM »

Quote from: BUCKDUSTER on November 01, 2009, 11:28:29 AM

as far as i know, bb/pellot guns are NOT considered firearms. therefor, there is no juristiction about when and when you can carry/shoot them. i live in a village where the law says it is illegal to discharge a firearm. i am allowed to shoot my pellot gun though. i think it is an awesome idea for your son to carry his bb gun. it makes him feel like his pop, it teaches him disipline, and will help him learn what gun safety is all about. my boy is 4 and i let him carry his bb gun when we go hunt for squirrels. i do however keepit unloaded, but he is only 4!! once i trust he can understand the safety factor, he will carry it "loaded". myself and it seems the rest of the country is getting really sick of these intrusive rules, so of which don't even exist!! nys is really back about this issue. cant wait to get out of this state for that exact reason. it seems like i'm not the only one!! when are the americans gonna take back america!! i say hunt and be merry. teach your boy right from wrong. teach him gun safety and respect. good luck

Buckduster;
Unfortunately, a pellet gun or even a BB gun is considered a "firearm"..see page 16, 1st column, 3rd paragraph of current DEC hunting & trapping guide.
Thus, such a youngster would be carrying a "firearm". Yep ! it's stupid, but we have a fair number of stupid lawmakers in NY.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #25 on:** December 28, 2009, 04:00:14 PM »

Quote

but we have a fair number of stupid lawmakers in NY.

Pete, that is the understatement of the year I think!