This is a short list of Mendon Conservation(MCL) League rules related to hunting on MCL property:

Your first responsibility is safety, make sure you practice it all all times.

You are required to sign in and out each time you hunt on MCL property. A sign up sheet is posted on the outside of the porch entry door so you will not need to enter the clubhouse. Next to the sign up sheet is a metal topographic map of MCL’s property. When you sign up for that days hunting place a metal magnet on the spot where you plan to hunt. This will help others know where you are and where to avoid.

Only MCL members, their spouses, and member’s children age 12-21 are allowed to hunt on MCL property. The MCL member must be with family members when they are hunting on MCL property.

Follow hunting dates and hours defined by NYS DEC. You are not limited to only hunting during MCL shooting hours.

Any tree stand. climbing device, or ground blind must be carried in and out on the day you are hunting. You are not allowed to leave them overnight. We expect you to stay on MCL property. There is a property map posted inside the clubhouse. Take the time to learn the property boundaries in the day time, so you do not make a mistake in early morning darkness.

We have posted most of the MCL property. MCL posted signs along with posted signs from other property owners will help keep you on MCL property.

NYS law does not allow you to trespass on private property. For example, you are not allowed to follow a wounded deer onto property where you do not have permission to hunt. You must first get permission from the property owner.

You are responsible for following NYS hunting laws. There are houses on all sides of MCL’s property. You need to insure that your are far enough from those houses and that shots you take terminate on MCL property. Shooting at anything where you are not absolutely sure your projectile will land on MCL property is not acceptable.

MCL property is in Monroe County! That limits the firearms that it is legal for you to use for deer hunting. You may use a shotgun with slugs, a muzzle loader with a single projectile, and a hand gun. You may not use center fire or rim fire rifles for deer hunting. Check the DEC Web site for details.

Be considerate of other hunters. Maintain adequate distance from other hunters, practice good hunter etiquette. Make sure of your background before you shoot. MCL only owns about 50 acres, that amount of space can only support a small number of hunters at any given time. Check the sign up sheet before you start to hunt! If several others are already hunting then come back another time.

The following was copied from the NYS DEC website:

“It is illegal to discharge a firearm, bow or crossbow: within 500 feet (for a firearm), 250 feet (for a crossbow) or 150 feet (for a bow) of a dwelling, farm building or structure in occupation or use unless you own it, lease it, are an immediate member of the family, an employee, or have the owner's consent.” You do not need to meet these distance requirements from the MCL club house and shooting buildings.

Ron Stappenbeck, President MCL