NY S07747

Allows youth ages 12-13 to hunt with a crossbow during special archery season when accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult (removes previous prohibition on crossbow use for this age group).

Permits hunters age 55 and older, or those medically unable to draw a longbow, to hunt deer and bear with a crossbow during special archery season.

Reduces the safety distance requirement for crossbow use from 200 feet to 150 feet from dwellings, schools, and other occupied structures (aligning it with longbow distance requirements).

Modifies crossbow specifications by removing the 17-inch minimum limb width requirement and eliminating the 200-pound maximum draw weight limit, while maintaining 14-inch minimum arrow length and 100-pound minimum draw weight.

Authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation to adopt regulations permitting the use of crossbows for taking small game and wild upland game birds by any licensed person.