New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil M. Seggos, who has held the Commissioner’s position for over eight years, announced he would be stepping down once the state’s budget process is complete this year. 

In a statement, the DEC said, “Commissioner Basil Seggos will be leaving his position. He is the longest serving DEC commissioner appointed in 2015 by the governor and played instrumental roles in the implementation of the New York’s nation-leading climate initiatives, protecting drinking water from emerging contaminants, directing record investments in natural resources and water quality protection, enhancing recreational access, and growing DEC workforce to more than a 3,000 staff, among the many notable highlights over his tenure.” 

Seggos’ other accomplishments were, the expansion of New York’s nation-leading junior deer hunting program, allowing hunters ages 12 and 13 to hunt whitetails under the current pilot status. The adjustment of legal big game hunting hours, the hunter orange/pink replacement, several streamlined fishing regulation changes and modernizing DEC’s sporting license infrastructure are other examples of changes during his tenure.

One thing that eluded him was the expanded crossbow hunting. He was optimistic that New York hunters would see more crossbow hunting opportunities. He said, “Nobody thought we’d ever get crossbow done in 2014. The governor (Cuomo) was in support of the position that we took, we held the line on it, and we finally got the green light after really brutal negotiations.” 

Long time New York Sportsmen’s advocate Larry Becker had a different opinion of the commissioner, he said, “From a fish and wildlife perspective it really does not matter that he is leaving or who will replace him. Over the last few decades, I have watched the state systematically degrade any and all emphasis on fish and wildlife. The politically appointed DEC leadership has kowtowed and will continue to kowtow to the governor and the legislature. Too much emphasis is on the state’s climate change initiatives, with fish and wildlife taking a very distant backseat.” 

A Nice Phone Call!

I received a nice surprise phone call the other day from one of my favorite attorneys, who is also a dedicated sportsman. Leo Glass of Monticello called me, and he was wondering why New York State is making it difficult for people to purchase semi-automatic rifles in this state.

Leo said he hunted deer all his life with a Remington semi-automatic rifle model 742 in 30.06 caliber and shot many deer and was very fond of the gun. I told him my father also hunted with a Remington 742 semi-auto in .308 caliber and he loved the gun. 

I also told him, remember this is New York State, and it has passed many laws and regulations on gun control and wildlife issues that are ridiculous. And this is one of the reasons why so many have left the state and went to gun-friendly states. 

It was nice hearing from you Leo, wishing you on your next birthday a Happy 89th!