The New York state Court of Appeals said it will hear the town of Smithtown’s request to overturn a lower court ruling that struck down a local law to eliminate bow hunting in most of the Long Island town.
A deer hunting group sued the town for its ordinance that banned guns and bows from being used within 500 feet of occupied buildings, parks and beaches. That’s more restrictive than a state law that allows bows to be used after 150 feet.
In August, a mid-level court ruled that the state law preempted the town law. Now the state’s highest court will decide by 2022 whether local governments have the authority to restrict bow hunting.
