NYS budget update: Minimum age for hunting deer with firearm, crossbow drops from 14 to 12 Updated Apr 06, 4:30 PM; Posted Apr 05, 4:33 PM Alex Taylor, 15, shot this spike buck on Saturday during the Youth Hunt Weekend, while hunting with her father, Eric, in Whitehall in Washington County. She shot it with 243 rifle. Facebook Share Editor’s note: This story originally noted the legislation would include hunting for both deer and bear. In it’s current form, the change would only apply just to deer hunting.) The final version of New York State budget for the coming year, which could be approved this week, includes a provision lowering the minimum age for hunting deer with a firearm or crossbow from age 14 to 12.