I'm wondering where I might find out the legality of carrying an unloaded shotgun on my boat in the Westchester/Rockland/Putnam/Orange county waters of the Hudson River.  I know a boat can be considered a residence (in which case, it is like having one in my home, right?), but to be, I believe it has to have a galley, and while I have a cabin, I don't have a galley.  

Anyone know?

Thanks

Tag, I'd love to know if anyone has solid information about this

Hunting license?  Duck stamp?
(Where and when?)

A rifle/shotgun must be unloaded in both chamber and magazine if you are transporting them in or upon a MV or motorboat in NYS .

ENV - Environmental Conservation
Title 9 - HUNTING

§ 11-0931. Prohibitions on the use and possession of firearms.

2. No firearm  except  a  pistol  or  revolver  shall  be  carried  or
 possessed  in  or  on  a motor vehicle unless it is unloaded in both the
 chamber and the magazine, except that a  loaded  firearm  which  may  be
 legally used for taking migratory game birds may be carried or possessed
 in a motorboat while being legally used in hunting migratory game birds,
 and no person except a law enforcement officer in the performance of his
 official  duties shall, while in or on a motor vehicle, use a jacklight,
 spotlight or other artificial light upon lands inhabited by deer  if  he
 is  in possession or is accompanied by a person who is in possession, at
 the time of such use, of a longbow, crossbow or a firearm  of  any  kind
 except  a  pistol  or  revolver, unless such longbow is unstrung or such
 firearm is taken down or securely fastened in a case or  locked  in  the
 trunk  of  the  vehicle. For purposes of this subdivision, motor vehicle
 shall mean every vehicle or other device operated  by  any  power  other
 than  muscle  power,  and  which  shall  include  but  not be limited to
 automobiles, trucks, motorcycles,  tractors,  trailers  and  motorboats,
 snowmobiles  and  snowtravelers,  whether  operated  on  or  off  public
 highways.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  this  subdivision,  the
 department  may  issue  a  permit  to  any person who is non-ambulatory,
 except with the use of a mechanized aid, to possess a loaded firearm  in
 or  on  a  motor  vehicle  as  defined  in this section, subject to such
 restrictions as the department may deem necessary  in  the  interest  of
 public  safety,  and  for a fee of five dollars. Nothing in this section
 permits the possession of a pistol or a revolver contrary to  the  penal
 law.

Interesting, thanks RKBar15.  So it seems I would be within my legal rights to possess an unloaded shotgun on my boat.  Now here is the interesting part:

"and no person except a law enforcement officer in the performance of his
official duties shall, while in or on a motor vehicle, use a jacklight,
spotlight or other artificial light upon lands inhabited by deer if he
is in possession or is accompanied by a person who is in possession, at
the time of such use, of a longbow, crossbow or a firearm of any kind"

So if I shine my spotlight into the trees along Croton Point Park, from 50 yards off shore, while I possess a shotgun on board, I am in violation?  Or does a boat not count as a motor vehicle, considering the term "motorboat" is specifically mentioned?

And I guess, just to be extra safe, a duck hunting permit would be in order.

(is it wabbit season, or duck season???)

You guys are starting to make the baby Jesus cry.

Actually, the hunting permit will do no good.  Seasons are mostly in Nov-Dec, and I don't own an icebreaker...

Quoted: You guys are starting to make the baby Jesus cry.

Don't worry, I like ducks, and have no intention of killing any.  (I feed them all summer)  I just want to be prepared for the Pirates of the Hudson.  Or maybe toss a clay pidgeon (which I am sure is a no-no) so that's out...

Quoted: You guys are starting to make the baby Jesus cry.

That made me laugh out loud.

On some days you guys make the baby Jesus laugh though.

On a related note, a couple of decades ago, guys used to shoot clays over the marshes off Nassau county in the summers, getting there by boat.  Had hunting licenses but no duck stamps.  Guess that was illegal...

Somewhat OT but I've shot clays at an undisclosed location on the South Shore that's a boat marina.

Quoted: Somewhat OT but I've shot clays at an undisclosed location on the South Shore that's a boat marina.

Did you take down any seagulls?

I once caught a seagull who dive bombed my bait while fishing for flounder in Peconic Bay.

RKbar15, if you like to fish, let's go one summer weekend and go for some striped bass in Shinnecock Bay off my boat, then follow up with some shooting at the Pine Barrens range.

Quoted: Interesting, thanks RKBar15.  So it seems I would be within my legal rights to possess an unloaded shotgun on my boat.  Now here is the interesting part: "and no person except a law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties shall, while in or on a motor vehicle, use a jacklight, spotlight or other artificial light upon lands inhabited by deer if he is in possession or is accompanied by a person who is in possession, at the time of such use, of a longbow, crossbow or a firearm of any kind" So if I shine my spotlight into the trees along Croton Point Park, from 50 yards off shore, while I possess a shotgun on board, I am in violation?  Or does a boat not count as a motor vehicle, considering the term "motorboat" is specifically mentioned? And I guess, just to be extra safe, a duck hunting permit would be in order. (is it wabbit season, or duck season???)

Quoted: Interesting, thanks RKBar15.  So it seems I would be within my legal rights to possess an unloaded shotgun on my boat.  Now here is the interesting part: "and no person except a law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties shall, while in or on a motor vehicle, use a jacklight, spotlight or other artificial light upon lands inhabited by deer if he is in possession or is accompanied by a person who is in possession, at the time of such use, of a longbow, crossbow or a firearm of any kind" So if I shine my spotlight into the trees along Croton Point Park, from 50 yards off shore, while I possess a shotgun on board, I am in violation?  Or does a boat not count as a motor vehicle, considering the term "motorboat" is specifically mentioned? And I guess, just to be extra safe, a duck hunting permit would be in order. (is it wabbit season, or duck season???)

Unloaded you're good to go, if you shine a light on Croton OTH put your gun in a case and you're good to go.  As it pertains to the ECL just about everything is a motor vehicle, cars, tractors, airplanes, boats, snowmobiles, atvs, motorcycles, mopeds, powered bicycles.