New York Laws
Title 21 - Conservation Areas and Facilities; Private Refuges and Posted Lands
11-2103 - Acquisition and Use of Property.

1. The department shall have power to acquire by lease, purchase,
gift, devise, agreement or otherwise from any sources, lands, waters or
lands and waters, or any right or interest therein for the purpose of
establishing and maintaining public hunting, trapping and fishing
grounds.

2. a. The department shall have power to receive real and personal
property by gift or devise from any person or from the United States
Government and to accept such property in the name of the people of the
state. Under this power any property of any nature or any rights therein
may be received and accepted if the department deems it suitable for
purposes of fish and wildlife management.

b. Lands or waters accepted under this power shall be held for the use
of the department and shall be improved or developed as the department
deems best for such purposes. Such lands and waters shall not become
part of the forest preserve nor be subject to the limitation of section
1 of article XIV of the State Constitution.

3. The department may purchase the shooting and fishing rights on
lands or waters outside the Adirondack and Catskill parks and establish
game refuges thereon.