I am a resident of New York State, and I've seen firsthand how the use of firearms for deer hunting is affecting our wildlife. The whitetail deer population, a vital part of our ecosystem, is dwindling due to excessive hunting. With limited resources, the harvest of a whitetail deer is becoming increasingly difficult.

Moreover, safety has become a significant concern. There are hunters who do not adhere to safety regulations and this negligence can lead to dangerous situations in our woods.

According to statistics from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), there were 1,000 firearm-related hunting accidents nationwide in 2017 alone. This number could be significantly reduced if we limit the use of firearms for hunting purposes.

Furthermore, according to data from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), there has been an alarming decrease in whitetail deer populations over recent years due largely to overhunting. If population does increase tags should be fluctuated for example 3 buck tags and 3 does but still archery only.

This petition seeks to ban the use of firearms for deer hunting within New York State as a measure towards preserving our wildlife and ensuring safety within our woods. It's time we put effort into protecting what makes us unique instead allowing it be ruined by negligence and disregard.

Please sign this petition if you believe that it's time we take action against unsafe practices and protect our precious wildlife.