AR-News: (NY) Fw: The Journal News: "Yonkers bans unsheathed bows"

[Elizabeth Forel]

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Animal Defenders" <k-blackman at animail.net>


Yonkers bans unsheathed bows
By MICHAEL GANNON 
THE JOURNAL NEWS 
(Original publication: April 28, 2004)

The City Council last night outlawed the carrying of an 
unsheathed bow within the city limits, a response to 
concerns aroused last year by deer apparently killed by 
hunters in the northwest part of the city. 

The legislation highlighted a short meeting in which 
council members also banned the use of camera phones or 
other imaging devices in health clubs. Both laws were 
passed unanimously. 

The bow legislation, proposed in December by Councilwoman 
Dee Barbato, R-6th District, prohibits the carrying of bows 
in any public place. It does not apply to persons carrying 
bows to, from or at an authorized firing range or 
competition, or on their own property. 

The law is modeled on a similar city ordinance that outlaws 
carrying or possessing firearms in a transparent case 
within the city. Research by lawyers in Corporation Counsel 
Frank Rubino's office determined that the city does not 
have the right to expressly outlaw hunting, which is 
regulated by the state. 

Animal activists Kiley Blackman and Taffy Williams helped 
press for the legislation after neighbors of the Andrus 
Children's Center on North Broadway complained to police in 
November and December about bowhunters on the 110-acre 
property, a large part of which is heavily wooded. The pair 
attended last night's meeting to press the council to vote 
in favor of the legislation. 

"It's insane to think this would be allowed in Yonkers and 
no one would get hurt," Williams said. 

Blackman pledged to aggressively distribute leaflets in the 
area to make people aware of the new law. 

Bow hunting is the only form of hunting allowed in 
Westchester County under state law. The deer-hunting season 
in Westchester is from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, and a valid 
hunting license is required. It is illegal to hunt on 
private property without permission. 

State law also has restrictions on where hunting can be 
done, such as within 500 feet of a dwelling or occupied 
building unless there is consent from the owner. In 
addition, archers cannot use bows with any mechanical 
device that is attached to the bow for drawing, holding or 
releasing the bowstring. 

The ban on camera phones was proposed earlier this month by 
Council President Richard Martinelli. It piggybacks a 
similar county law passed last month, which prohibits the 
use of cell phones and other picture-taking devices from 
locker rooms, bathrooms and changing areas of Westchester-
run facilities. 

The Yonkers law imposes penalties including fines and 
possible imprisonment. It requires health club operators to 
post signs at the entrances of facilities making people 
aware of the law and asking them to report violations to 
management. 

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Send e-mail to Michael Gannon:mgannon at thejournalnews.com