Another Micro-Stamping Bill Introduced in New York State Senate

The impasse between the "Coalition" majority and the Democratic Conference remains in the New York State Senate, with Democrats continuing to function administratively as though as if they are still in charge.  During this time, bill introductions and committee referrals are proceeding ahead.  The likely reason for this could be that Democrats plan to pick up where they left off should the leadership battle be resolved.

It is important for law abiding gun owners, hunters and sportsmen to be aware of this because some of this maneuvering involves micro-stamping legislation. As most New York NRA members know, Senate Bill 4397A was on the calendar at the time the upheaval began on June 8.  The bill was set to be amended in order to remove the requirement that in-state manufacturers could only produce micro-stamp equipped semi-automatic handguns, but with the ensuing leadership battle S 4397A was not amended. 

For this reason the sponsor, State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31), has introduced a new micro-stamping bill, Senate Bill 6005, which incorporates the language of the intended amendment.  Though this narrow amendment may address one problem for New York manufacturers, there are still numerous reasons for gun makers and gun owners to strongly oppose this bill.

If the Senate Democrats prevail in the struggle for leadership and return to business-as-usual S 6005, which is the same as Assembly Bill 6468, will probably be the bill that would be considered.

It is also important to note that A 6468 did not pass the Assembly prior to their adjournment of the regular legislative session, but Assembly members are likely to be called back to Albany should the Senate's issues be resolved. S 6005/A 6468 could be acted on at that time.

Please call your lawmakers TODAY and urge them to oppose all of the above listed bills.  State Assembly Members can be reached by phone at (518) 455-4100.  To find your Assembly Member, click here.  Your State Senator can be contacted through the Senate switchboard at (518) 455-2800.  To find your State Senator, please click here.

Why and How to Hunt the Backcountry

Bending down to lift my pack, I could definitely feel the wear and tear of seven straight days in the wilderness.

Sore muscles, blistered feet and a sticky coating of sweat seemed to cover every inch of my body.

We were here by choice, though.

After years of hunting accessible lands that posed no difficulty for the average hunter, we had decided to head in a little further.

I hoisted the pack, scanned the area and then began the long walk out to the trailhead, a mere 6 miles off. Success was with us too: my partner and I were packing out our second elk.

As the hindquarter of the elk weighed heavy on my shoulders, I knew we had made the right decision to hunt deep in the backcountry.

I’d been fortunate enough to bag an elk on the first day of the hunt, and my partner had just sent an arrow to its mark two hours earlier.

Where to hunt

It started a few years earlier on a finger ridge perched high in the Pacific Northwest’s Blue Mountains.

At sunrise, I gave a long locating bugle and got a response from a receptive bull.

Feverishly working our way towards the bugling bull, we cut the distance to a hundred yards.

Fishing for Blue Fish

Pre-Season Whitetail Scouting