nyantler

I tend to agree with this... I'm not sure if pertains to all forums, but I think this forum has a better educated class of hunters than most of the 1000's of hunters I've encountered over the years. Although I don't think it represents the average NYS hunter... it does make for a bit more intelligent and interesting conversation than other forums I've been on. Most opinions seem well thought out even if I don't agree with some of them. I wouldn't come here for data if I was looking for a good sample of the average NYS deer hunter.

My comment wasn't meant for you.. I was just using your quote for a lead-in. I agree that AR's in the form being used in NY and PA don't go far enough to actually create big bucks in large numbers. But, if you look at the size of the record book class bucks in PA since AR's started and you will see a big difference in overall size and numbers of those bucks. I've said it before and I'll say it again... AR's are only one item necessary in an overall deer management plan to improve the age structure among the buck population... bigger bucks are just a by-product of good management. AR's on their own is not deer management. I think we are trying to hard to manage whitetails in NYS with no actual goal in mind of where we want it to take us.

I'm not saying it necessarily would... my point was that one argument against AR's is that hunters will drop out of hunting because they don't like being restricted.. if that is the case then losing hunting days and not being able to use a gun during rut should have the same result. Retention not really recruitment.

Although this might be the answer for NY if the goal is bigger bucks... If you think there is an uproar over antler restrictions, you haven't seen anything until you take away hunting days AND not allow gun hunting during the rut here in NY. Many here have said that AR's would cause a huge number of hunters to drop out of the ranks... shorter seasons and no guns during rut would have the same, if not worse, effect. Those that used the drop out of hunting defense for no AR's don't seem to have a problem with hunters dropping out when it comes to their view of how to have more big bucks. How is restricting antler size any different than restricting when and with what weapon you can take a buck... if in fact your only goal is to have bigger bucks?

I don't have a problem with trophy hunting. I don't like the "deer farming" we try to pass of as deer management. Where we manipulate habitat for the sole purpose of developing and holding big rack bucks... then film their every move until we know their travel patterns... then set up an ambush based on what the cameras tell us. I know its legal.. just not my idea of hunting big bucks.

My first muzzleloader

My wife had the same thing happen last week... floaters progressed into a complete graying out of her sight... turns out it was a torn retina... the floater turned "gray out" was from the blood... she had two laser surgeries to fix the tear, Dr. said it would take some time to get rid of the floaters. Hope you had it checked for a torn retina, because that will progress to a detached retina very quickly... which is very serious.

That's a beauty!

wow! I really enjoy your photos! Great stuff!

Been a Toyota guy for many years...

Sorry but you stepped in it all by yourself. You totally missed what he was saying and weren't man enough to admit you read it wrong. You could have taken the high road and said "Oops, sorry I misread it" but you opted to dig a bigger hole. It's over.. now we can get back to the regularly scheduled program... still in progress.

How does one start a rift over the word "infested"? Sounds like someone came in a bit late in the thread with no understanding about what was being talked about... got confused... put a foot in his mouth... didn't know how to get out gracefully... so continued fighting on despite knowing he is wrong... to try and save face. Don't see anything wrong with any of what Doc has said.. pretty much spot on.

Here are some of my finds recently from a British encampment site on the Mohawk River... I believe the bigger musket balls are 72 cal. The big piece is a copper tin.

Wow.. those are some big blades!!

This forum is not really a true sample of NY Deer Hunters as a whole... the survey gives a good idea of the attitudes of those on this forum, but I don't think it reflects actual overall attitudes of most hunters from around the state... there are more informed and less ignorant hunters that regularly participate in this forum... I won't go as far as saying "the cream of the crop" but better informed than the vast majority of NY hunters.

I finally gave up doing the lawn and hired it out... a good rider is at least $4000, plus gas, weed eater, maintenance and time away from other things I'd rather be doing ... I can pay a guy $400 a season for 10 years and still be ahead of the game. Use to like cutting the grass, but I'd rather be at camp or fishing than home cutting the grass these days.

Incredible to see one let alone get such great photos... great stuff!

Nothing else really matters...Without knowing the true numbers nothing worth while can ever be accomplished. The present day thoughtless knee jerk ideas are only further complicating things.

I love the Marlin rifles... that one is a dandy! I carry a New England Arms "Handy Rifle" 30-06 which is barely 36" from butt to barrel end. Great for big woods hunting if you don't mind a single shot...

https://www.facebook.com/bundyranch/videos/974883769255098/

It's hard for me too sympathize sometimes... When I was first married with a kid I worked three jobs to make ends meet... I didn't blame the rich, I just shut up and did what I had to do until I found something better.

I washed dishes for $1 an hour.

True.. but employers can't base their business on the plight of a few individuals... he has a business to run.

The rich getting richer by operating a profitable business and paying a wage excepted by the laborers when they took the job.

No.. it would be horrible to pay employees more than a rate for their job than the market will bare... which will put other employees out of work or replace all employees with automation. The government can not and should not dictate wages for private enterprise.. the employer establishes a wage and you decide whether you can live on that or not... if not, don't take that job! If the wages are too low, nobody will work for that employer and he will go out of business... If the wages are too high he will not be able to afford stay in business. Simple Business!