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I hunt in Washington County, many farms, I am only speaking of my hunting area and certainly cannot make comment on other areas of NYS. I've been hunting for 52 years. The good old days were truly were good. Back then when I was a kid - young man, I was hunting in Columbia County an area of many farms. So called, "big" bucks were much more plentiful back then from what I see today on the farm in Washington County. My neighbor farm friends tell me what hunting was like in the area back in the 60's and 70's. It was the same as my hunting in Columbia County. The fact is today I see doe and young bucks, I do not see the big bucks. During the rut, we use to see bucks on the farm and certainly in fields and crossing streets at dusk and nightime. My simple definition of a big buck is one of 8 points or more, about 3 years old or more. The area produced 10 pointers and every once in awhile the really big boys were taken. Those days are over. Simply stated dead young bucks do not grow up to be big bucks. One really big buck can produce dozens of sons with the same gene potential as him. When young bucks are taken, you are deystroying the future gene pool of big racks and bucks. As hunting pressure has increased in the last 30 years, I believe too many young bucks are being removed. We are left with only a few big bucks. There is plenty of evidence that farming have changed over the years. For instance soybeans are popular in some states and these states produce really big bucks. We can't force farmers to grow soybeans so what is the alternative? So, more of the same? or do we alter the present the present policy in order to get a benefit for years to follow. During the hunt season I sometimes see these young bucks hanging from a tree or just inside the barn. They are almost always young bucks. Years ago in the 60's and early 70's we saw 8, 10, 12 pointers hanging. Sure 8 pointers were more common than the 12's but you get the idea. Today I see very few 8 pointers hanging up. If there was a minimum antler size law in effect of let's say 8 points, in a few years we would have 8 pointers roaming around for the take. In other words, give the young bucks a chance to get to the 8 point range. In a few years, instead of taking the young bucks you would be taking 8 pointers in almost the same numbers. I'M IN THE MINORITY. In a recent DEC survey hunters voted to continue the present system - take whatever you want. I FULLY UNDERSTAND MANY OF YOU WANT TO TAKE A BUCK NO MATTER WHAT AGE. I UNDERSTAND. So please do not curse me as some old guy that wants to limit your chances. I am suggesting that if we take a three year break from taking young bucks we can all enjoy hunting and taking much more mature bucks with big racks. I'm not alone there are many hunters that would prefer a minimum rack policy. On the Northfork of Long Island there is a very high density of deer maybe one of the highest in the state. I have seen huge bucks during the rut. Many of the really big boys travel along the cliffs of the Sound, I've seen them while fishing in November usually around sunset. I've never seen one in my yard, I live one minute from the Sound. However, I've seen doe and young bucks. The really big bucks don't come into the neighborhood they do visit the farms along Sound Avenue at night. The problem is there is no way to hunt them. Access is extremely limited. Bow hunting is the method. If all these bucks were taken as young deer they would not grow into the big boys. That is why we see so many 8 pointers and larger, an I mean alot larger. Anyone that knows the Northfork know some of the biggest bucks in NYS are taken on the Northfork, and why not? When young bucks grow up to the 3 year plus range they become big bucks. I'm in favor of a minimum "point" policy for taking of bucks.