MALONE — The Franklin County Legislature later this month will review in a public hearing a proposed local law that involves the adoption of a pilot youth deer hunting program, Clerk of the Board Penny Premo said Thursday.

The public hearing is scheduled for May 20 at 10 a.m., Premo said, in the chamber of the Legislature on the courthouse’s fourth floor. It will also be available over WebEx.

The proposed law calls for the allowance of the county to permit anyone, ages 12 and 13, to participate in a test program through 2023. The program would entail teaching children new and safe hunting opportunities, following Environmental Conservation Law.

The local law would permit children of the select age group to hunt deer with firearms or crossbows. The state currently allows for the use of archery equipment only for the ages 12 and 13 when hunting. The county is considering passing this new local law, as, “hunting is a valued tradition for many families, and this new opportunity allows experienced, adult hunters to introduce the value of hunting to the next generation,” a legal notice for the public hearing reads.

Teaching safety and “ethical hunting practices will ensure a rewarding experience for youth, while providing quality food to families and contributing to important deer management population control practices,” the notice continued.

According to the pilot proposal, children will need to be licensed and would need to be supervised by a licensed adult hunter, age 21 or older, with at least three years of hunting experience. They will also need to hunt in permitted areas and children hunters will need to hunt at ground level. All participating hunters will need to wear orange or pink fluorescent hunting jackets and clothing.

Residents will be invited to participate in the hearing via WebEx. Anyone who wishes to provide written or oral comments prior to May 20 can contact Premo at 518-481-1640 or ppremo@franklincony.org.

The WebEx link to join the meeting can be found at franklincountyny.webex.com. The meeting number will be 1608189955, and the password will be bsEambnG433.