by: Gabriella Baiano|
Posted: May 28, 2026 / 12:37 PM EDT
Updated: May 28, 2026 / 04:09 PM EDT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz’s veto of a youth hunting bill was overridden by the county legislature on Thursday in an 8-3 vote.

The bill allows 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt deer with guns with an experienced adult mentor. It first passed in the legislature with a 7-3 vote on April 30.

Poloncarz vetoed the bill earlier this month, raising concerns over safety and hunting accidents in other states. He vetoed a similar bill in 2021.

“I’m pleased that my fellow legislators held firm to override Mark Poloncarz’s veto,” lead sponsor Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro said. “The data is clear. There is no indication that this law puts our young people at risk. They were already allowed to hunt smaller game. This simply allows them to hunt big game with adult supervision.”

“The legislators were steadfast in support of the youth hunting law. I’m glad they didn’t allow last-minute maneuvering to change their vote,” Legislator Chris Greene said.

Legislators Lawrence Dupre (D-Buffalo), Taisha St. Jean Tard (D-Buffalo) and Jeanne Vinal (D-Amherst) voted against the bill.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, a statewide pilot program was established in 2024 that would permit minors to hunt deer “with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun, or muzzleloading firearm.”