ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - The Tompkins County legislature voted on Tuesday to allow deer and bear rifle hunting. The county now needs state permission.
The change requires an amendment to the state environmental conservation law.
Rifle hunting is already allowed in the county for other animals.
The resolution notes that the high deer population continues to be a problem in the county. There’s been a push for this in the past, but it faced opposition from those are against hunting.
The vote was close with some opponents, like Legislators Anne Koreman and Amanda Champion. They said they did not find a strong enough reason to vote in favor. Legislator Shawna Black expressed concern that the decision would amount to more loose gun regulations in the county.
Legislator Michael Lane voted for the change noting that the legislature left open the option to revisit the decision in two years.
Tompkins is one of five counties in the state that do not allow rifle hunting for deer and bears.