Originally Posted By: 1BigOxThey write it ambiguous so that people get confused, and break the law.
No. It is not ambiguous nor designed to get people confused to break the law. It has to be written that way to allow the maximum flexibility in the different areas of the state. It would be much easier to simply say "rimfire only statewide during any deer season" - I don't think many people would prefer that. Anyone who finds it confusing can simply call their local ECO to get a quick explanation.
When the DEC recently allowed the smaller centerfire rifles, they determined that "smaller than .22 rimfire" meant that .223, 22-250, .22 Hornet were NOT smaller, but .204 Ruger, .17 Fireball, etc. were. There was some debate about what way to determine "smaller" - was it power, length, true bullet size, etc? Years ago there was only .22 lr, .22 short, .22 mag and maybe a few oddballs like 5mm rimfire and .17 Mach IV cenerfire. With the popularity of the many newer small caliber centerfire rifles ideal for furbearer hunting there was an opportunity for reinterpretation of the existing law. New night hunting options including high power LED flashlights, night vision, etc. also increased longer range shot opportunities. As a result, DEC agreed that it would be beneficial to predator hunters and their law enforcement did not believe it would lead to increased poaching. In the end it was a change that was LESS RESTRICTIVE, something that does not happen much anymore.
The basics:
1. In counties or parts of counties that prohibit deer hunting with rifles (white areas), and only during archery, regular or muzzleloading deer seasons in those areas, you may not possess a rifle larger than .22 caliber rimfire afield, day or night, to hunt wildlife, including furbearers. Centerfire rifles smaller than .22 caliber are permitted. Once all deer seasons are closed, you may hunt furbearers with a rifle chambered in any cartridge.
3. In the orange areas you may hunt furbearers with a rifle chambered in any cartridge during any open furbearer season, day or night.
4. No rifles afield in Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk Counties - ever. Call a local ECO for the Buffalo, Rochester and Albany black and blue areas because there may be local regulations about rifles.
Good luck hunting this year.