N.Y. ENV Law § 11-2103

§ 11-2103. Acquisition and use of property.\n 1. The department shall have power to acquire by lease, purchase,\ngift, devise, agreement or otherwise from any sources, lands, waters or\nlands and waters, or any right or interest therein for the purpose of\nestablishing and maintaining public hunting, trapping and fishing\ngrounds.\n 2. a. The department shall have power to receive real and personal\nproperty by gift or devise from any person or from the United States\nGovernment and to accept such property in the name of the people of the\nstate. Under this power any property of any nature or any rights therein\nmay be received and accepted if the department deems it suitable for\npurposes of fish and wildlife management.\n b. Lands or waters accepted under this power shall be held for the use\nof the department and shall be improved or developed as the department\ndeems best for such purposes. Such lands and waters shall not become\npart of the forest preserve nor be subject to the limitation of section\n1 of article XIV of the State Constitution.\n 3. The department may purchase the shooting and fishing rights on\nlands or waters outside the Adirondack and Catskill parks and establish\ngame refuges thereon.\n