burmjohn

What exactly does this have to do with AR's? They wanted to reduce the herd because they thought the forests and land were being destroyed by the over population of deer, consuming more then the land could produce. The videos clearly show that this is not the case, the commission was hired to do the study listed a lot of fallacies regarding how the deer herd was destroying the forest because of business interests. They went on to say how the birds and the mammals that live in the PA lands were under some sort of pressure that did not exist. I watched all of the video's, I do not think once that the study mentioned AR. It was completely about managing the herd. Having property on the PA boarder in Cochecton, less then 1 mile from the Delaware river, I have had the opportunity to interact with a lot of PA folks and exchange hunting stories. Not once was the mention that their herd is decimated because of the over issuance of antlerless permits, however there were plenty of occasions where they talked abut the harvesting of mature bucks.

Video overload! Is there a summary somewhere ?

The point is to allow then the chance to survive, ideally beyond the 2.5 mark. Deers mature, become smarter, more aware of their surroundings, scent, etc. A 1.5 has less of a chance surviving a harsh winter, especially after a elongated rut, due to the lack of bucks, then then an area where more bucks and more mature bucks exist.

Buck, Just post the link right in the text area here...

Buck, that attachment doesnt work. What type of file is it?

While I dont agree 100% with what ^^^^ said, the truth is, how is a statewide AR going to effect those like you Culver who have the opportunity to harvest a 150 class deer or the pile of 100 to 140 class deer? Your not running out and shooting a 1.5 spike knowing there is a more mature buck available are you? You gotta understand, AR has brought that opportunity for us to have a choice now, we can get a buck that is 2.5 +, that was not the case a few years back, it literally was ALL immature 1.5's running around. Now we have trailcam photo's of deer sparring, more mature (legal) bucks to have an opportunity to harvest.

There is already plans to manage the state forest resources... http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/64567.html

The problem is, a lot people *think* the minority want to change how we manage deer in NY (AR, QDM, 1 buck, shorter season, etc). However, the reality is the majority wants a change.

Hah, then why legalize crossbows in the first place if no one is going to use them.

Excellent post... I would be in support of such a program if NY considered it. The reason I support AR's is because its something already in place, the only thing in place, and I have seen first hand how its working in my area.

Its not a "pork barrel program", the hunters in the area support it, asked for it, want it to continue, which are the same ones that buy licenses which fund the DEC. Regardless, how is it costing the DEC money to enforce this any different from the 3 inch antler rule that is already in place across the state?

I beleive it was a few sportsman's clubs that were behind the initial push, along with a lot of other supporters who were not members of those clubs. Those clubs are a comprised of all hunters. However, after the two initial WMU's the push came from mostly individuals for the two additional WMU's that eventually got AR's. A family friend was one of the people at the meeting, which was open to all, and was in support. It's hardly a bamboozle when AR's clearly work in my area 3H and 3J from what I and others I know have observed. I have not yet met one person that is against it in these WMU's. Even if you take a smaller sample set of the people on this forum that hunt in WMU's with AR. I asked my local butcher 2 weekends ago on opening weekend of bow season. He said that not only has the rack sized increased, the box sizes he used to pack the meat in had to be increased. He has been in the biz for 40 years, and said there has been no decrease in the amount of bucks (or does for that matter) since AR was implemented in 3H. Its because its not a minority.

Regarding the QDMA findings, who else is going to have the $ to support a study? Lets look at PA. They came the conclusion that before AR there was a less then 20% survival rate. The majority of those bucks being taken were 1.5's. After AR (or APRs as they call it) 1.5 bucks survival rate was increased to over 60%, and older bucks survival rate to over 34%. In addition there has been no change to the hunters success rates of getting a buck. So if its not reducing opportunity, yet increasing the bucks survival rate, and maturing the herd, and allowing for bigger bucks it seems like a win win.

I guess so Never was a big game show watcher.

Cam working good?

wha?

Great story! Don't forget to attach a pic.

Is it clearly posted?

And that's why the mandatory AR works The other problem is the old if I don't my neighbor will, which is why AR on a small scale doesn't work. Opening weekend was slow, but Monday I had a lot of action. I had two spikes walk under my stand, then I screwed up on a beautiful 8 (I was dozing off, and he snuck in on me) The same day I saw another big 7 (maybe 8, didnt have binocs ready) but way to far to shoot for bow come by. Neighbor shot a nice buck as well, other neighbor shot a nice buck. This kind of action wasn't there a few years ago. Its really exciting.

I hope its my lucky day too. Never got a buck with the bow yet, but I'll take a doe too if its in range.

My honeydo list is now honeydoityourself

And thats why mandatory AR in 3H where I hunt works...

Anyone heading to their Hunting area this weekend? I have a feeling its going to be an awesome weekend, I could not go up last weekend (wife bday). I'm psyched! Its going to be dry, fairly cool, and low winds. After opening bow weekend for SZ, I'm excited for a calmer weekend I'm thinking of trying some scent as well this weekend... Just a little, perhaps draw something in.

Its on the todo list to fix

Sounds like an active morning!