For the first year hunter, if AR's were in place already, there would be 2.5's running around rather then those spikers.
Regarding the smartest deer, 1.5's are pretty much all still ignorant and learning.
But after 1 year instead of a 1.5 you could have that same number of deer as 2.5's with more meat. Granted those 2.5's might not be as easy to kill as the 1.5's but you already put the time in to scout and hunt so that shouldn't be an issue anyways.
Steve I think they might base the age on an average of what the DEC samples. I always swing by the local butcher on opening week to see what he has in the freezer. The DEC hangs out there pretty much the whole season visiting a few times a week so they can get a chance to sample / inspect age and take for the area's around, especially since the check stations are pretty much gone.
Great idea and pretty simple to implement too. To bad the DEC is horrible with managing their data. I tried to get some historical records and I still have not had luck.
That is an amazing buck. I think most are in agreement that the AR's in place in this part of the SZ is by no means a one size fits all for NYS. The terrain, food supply, pressure, herd health and structure vary to much.
AR's are there because there are people that actually care about the herd and the future of hunting in NY. No bio needed is bullshit and everyone that has educated themselves on the subject knows it.
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