punch

Aren't the polls on this very website in favor of AR?

The comradery experienced at a deer camp is second to none, agreed. I was there last season and it was one of my most favorite hunts. Having a 4 pointer on the deer pole out front wouldn't have made it any better in my opinion. The other guys did well with an 8,9,and 10 pointer. I passed a 1.5 yr old 7 and got nothing. No regrets though. Don't you get it?

Honestly, I'm not for or against AR. I'm not pushing either way. I do think it would help. We wouldn't need it if more hunters looked at the science of it all. It draws into question many issues. It angers many people. People fire back raging remarks. Is anyone thinking of reasonable solutions? Are we all looking at the facts? When I hear comments like "phoney biology" its saying that "I'm right, you're wrong, I don't want know the facts, I want whats best for me, and couldn't care less about the animal so many of us love to pursue.

I'm selfish remember..I want both!

If they are not being shot then where did they all go? OH NO!!!! They must still be out there! Getting bigger! or maybe they are being abducted by aliens. Any thoughts?

I wouldn't see how having better age structure would do anything about the intensity or timing of the rut. I think that would most likely be affected by better buck/doe ratios. Not to be confused with "phoney biology" that only benefits trophy hunters.

Its never a guarantee, thats why they call it hunting and not killing. I never had an opportunity at a bigger buck last year either, but I shot does, let the little bucks walk, and still had a great time, both when I was alone and when I was at deer camp with the guys.

it sounds like you have more bucks in your area now then you did before. Thats horrible! Not to mention selfish! and I don't see how that can be good for the herd. After all, we should be able to shoot all the bucks we want off the landscape and leave it to mother nature to fix the mess. I'm I right?

just a thought, some people are screaming "you antler guys" are "selfish" and only think of yourselves bit. yet in the same breathe are screaming, I want to be able to do what I want. Its about my hunt and my good times and my buddies. Yet if I want to keep doe numbers in check and pass on little bucks, I'm the one being selfish. I have the "agenda". If thats the case then I guess we shouldn't even have a season or bag limit. Lets jack em all year round from the truck window, so long as you have a buddy with you to enjoy the memories.

I think I'm out for today. It was good talkin to you guys. If your hunting the Northern tear, regardless of what you shoot or don't shoot, good luck, happy hunting, and hunt safe.

Steve863, It seems to me that if more hunters ,"not all", voluntarily passed yearlings, there would be more older bucks, there for more bigger bucks. Therefore I would imagine pro AR hunters wouldn't have the need to push so much. Then your rights as a meat hunter wouldn't be infringed upon. What are your thoughts? I totally see where your coming from and I don't disagree with you entirely, just trying to think of solutions.

i've seen the sheds from an old browless six pointer. Just being older makes a trophy in my opinion. Still a wall hanger, nice. oops! was I not supposed give my opinion here?

and yeah, I know...it tastes a lot like venison

I gotta be honest with ya, I would be perfectly happy with a great 2.5 yr. old right now. They, are even hard to come by. But one foot in front of the other, I hope to graduate to 3.5 yr. + someday soon. I do know what you mean about the 5.5 yr. olds though. I have some on trail camera and they get to be quite impressive. If the chance at failure "tag soup" or "missing a shot" wasn't there, success wouldn't taste so sweet.

I shoot does because I'm a hunter. I eat venison. Its fun. Big bucks are a byproduct of good management. You can't possibly tell me you wouldn't enjoy shooting a big buck. If two bucks were in the field, one big, one small, which would you pull the trigger on?

You are right, hunting means different things to different people and what I support doesn't mean you have to. I can see that. But nobody is answering my question. Is there no room for improvement? I'm not talking about AR.. I'm talking more hunters voluntarily passing yearlings and habitat improvement. Not just food plots, but logging, buck doe ratios, even picking up trash in the woods. Would it ultimately improve hunter satisfaction?

well said. Thank you.

Same path as me? I'm not Jesus! I meant "ignorant" in the fact that as a society of "deer hunters" we shouldn't think that there is no room for improvement. If you think there isn't, well then excuuuse me! If you wait for the political end to change things, its usually too little, too late. Most people that disagree most likely fear change which is to be expected. I'm still left wondering how smashing every yearling buck makes anything better.

Wow! Touchy touchy. I didn't realize there were so many passionate people out there. I'm not here to argue and sorry if I offended anyone, that wasn't my attempt. I do realize that some parts of state have poor habitat and poor deer numbers and that what is good for one area won't work for another. But I also believe there is room for improvement everywhere. I do agree that the DEC couldn't care less about age structure, but I DO. I pass yearlings knowing that some will make it through, not just for me, but for somebody. I try to get out of it what I put in. If the first deer that presented you a shot was a wide 2 and half yr. old 8 pointer you would drill it all the same. Only difference is 30 lbs. more meet in the freezer and more pics of you with the deer smiling ear to ear. I know what tag soup tastes like and it sucks, I know, but I tag does when possible and enjoy watching young bucks as they go by. I don't smash little bucks just cause I have a tag. Again, I'm NOT trying to offend anyone, just saying... it could be better, couldn't it? And conservation goes beyond big antlers and deer. Its about our environment and doing good for habitat which effects many other species including us as humans trying to things better for the next generation. It sounds like many people could care less, and that will probably never change. But I do care, and hopefully that will never change either. ;D

Yes....I am coming on strong.. ;D Just cause I'm new to this forum stuff doesn't mean I can't have an opinion. Thank you though. I appreciate being on here. Look, I'm not "condeming" hunters who shoot little bucks, I'm saying why wait for the state to put in place AR when passing yearlings is something that more hunters can voluntarily do. Don't get me wrong, I'm for AR. Its the one thing that would make the biggest impact on our bucks age structure. Just trying to get more hunters (THE # 1 CONSERVATIONISTS) to think about what it CAN be with more positive effort. Oh! and yes I do fill my doe tags and my freezer and yes I do have a new website that I'm quite proud of. Not hiding anything here, just trying to make a positive impact by making more hunters take a closer look at what they are doing instead of the DEC. and yes if you are the least bit interested it is www.punchoutdoors.com. I'm working on that recipe too but it might it take awhile

Some hunters make such a big deal about it. I really don't feel compelled to shoot a buck that is equivalent to a little boy. Guys that say "You can't eat the antlers" are completely ignorant. Why not try something thats best for the herd instead of whats best for you. Our NY bucks need age.

We have the genetics, let them grow. Trying to be realistic in setting goals and letting the 1.5 yr olds walk. You have to at least start with that. Check out www.punchoutdoors.com its free to sign up.