Rifle hunting now allowed in Wayne County

Assemblyman Robert C. Oaks (R,C-Macedon) is pleased to announce, in anticipation of gun season opening on November 21, that his legislation to permanently allow rifle hunting in Wayne County was signed into law earlier this year. “This measure will help control the growing deer population in Wayne County as well as provide the county with the opportunity to grow a valuable outdoor recreation/tourism economy,” said Oaks, a strong supporter of hunting in New York State. “I am very pleased my bill was passed in both houses and signed into law, and I will continue working with our local governments to protect and promote heritage sports like hunting, enhance our tourism industry and make our region a more affordable place to call home.”Specifically, the measure changes existing law to permanently allow for rifle hunting for big game in Wayne County. Big game rifle hunting had previously been allowed on a temporary basis in the county during the prior two hunting seasons.According to Wayne County Tourism, there are more than 10,000 acres of public hunting grounds in the county. Tourism cites a study based on deer size data from the New York Big Buck Club, which rates Wayne County as seventh in the state for producing “wall hanging” deer. Wild turkey hunting has also become more popular throughout the county, as well as hunting waterfowl along Lake Ontario.