The America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act of 2024 passed the House recently in a 366-21 vote.

The ACE Reauthorization act reauthorizes multiple programs that benefit hunting and angling including, the National Fish Habitat Partnership, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Foundation.

It also helps address threats like chronic wasting disease. This reauthorization provides technical improvements, administrative streamlining, and increased authorized funds to improve these programs. 

"I am pleased that this bipartisan piece of conservation legislation sailed through the US House of Representatives and is likely to become law." said Keith Tidball, New York State Conservation Council President. "I was especially glad to see that there were no votes in opposition from our elected officials in New York State" he said.

The original ACE Act was passed in 2020. Many of its authorizations expire next year, necessitating the passage of the ACE Reauthorization Act to ensure these programs can continue to operate in good legal standing.

The ACE Reauthorization Act of 2024 now heads back to the Senate, which passed a different version of the ACE Reauthorization Act by unanimous consent earlier this year. 

“Hi, my name is Nate F. and I have been targeting this buck since this July. I finally got the chance to harvest him thanks to my dad Nate Sr. He said we were sitting in this blind which I did not want to sit there because I’ve never seen a buck in this spot before well later that afternoon he came out and gave me the shot of a lifetime and I took it with my 6.5 Creedmoor at 50 yards. I would like to thank NYS DEC for offering the holiday weekend youth hunt and the property owners who allow us to continue the sportsmen tradition.” Thanks, Nate F. Jr.

I can think of no better way to recruit the next generation! That is future hunters who have someone to mentor and help them develop their skills with carful and safe guidance. Without someone there to give the next generation ‘a shot’, who knows what the future of hunting will be? Just look around at the average hunter – the population is ‘graying out’. We need to focus our efforts on recruiting the next generation. Nate F. Sr. is a hunter education instructor for the state. He is on the frontlines of this process, teaching the newest additions to the hunting ranks. The ability to provide an increased success rate for youth, is key in their recruitment and initial participation in the sport. “The chance for youth to try the tradecraft with less stress of a regular season speaks volumes about the success of the Youth Hunt and other youth events across NY. Not only for this but also for small game as well.”

GOVERNOR HOCUL SIGNED A PACKAGE OF SIX-GUN BILLS INTO LAW

• Requiring firearms dealers and gunsmiths to post tobacco style warnings at sites where firearms are sold and distribute warnings at the time of sale

• Requires a firearms licensing officer, to provide information resources related to safe storage of firearms, child access prevention and firearm violence prevention.

• Defines a “pistol converter” regarding the definition of a firearm

• Requires the court to notify the statewide registry of orders of protection and warrants when a temporary and/or final extreme risk protection order (ERPO) is issued.

• Allows police agencies instead of individual police officers to be listed as the petitioner in an ERPO.

• Requires credit and debit card issuers to use the firearms and ammunition retailers merchant category code (MCC) for purchases that the highest value is from the combined sale of firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition.

The New York waters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario in 2024 have been exceptional.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation reported a record breaking June based on their 37-year angler survey. Captain Jim Steel, President of the Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, said, “Fishing on Lake Erie is truly an amazing experience. The fish population is thriving and keeps getting better every year. Our captains are on the water almost every day and are experiencing fishing we’ll be talking about for years. Now is the time to enjoy a fun-filled day of fishing.” 

Lake Ontario reported one of the best spring and early summer Chinook salmon fishing. Captain Frank Campbell, Tourism Director for Destination Niagara,said, “In over 30 years of chartering and several years as sportfishing promotions director for Niagara County, I have never witnessed Lake Ontario fish so well for king salmon. Not only are the numbers of fish present, but also the size to make Lake Ontario the hottest salmonid fishery in the world. I've heard countless anglers say that even though they heard fishing has been on fire, it far exceeded their expectations.”  

The decision found a section of a 2022 law that bars carrying concealed firearms on private property without the consent of owner is unconstitutional. A federal judge in Buffalo has struck down a portion of New York’s gun laws that would have prohibited someone with a concealed carry permit from bringing a firearm on private property open to the public — like a gas station or restaurant — unless the owner had posted signs affirmatively allowing weapons.