New law establishes antler restrictions in a part of WMU 3A

[A Sportsman]

Hey Folks,

It seems that any threads that deal with ARs, eventually deteriorate into a general discussion on who is for it and who is against it.  In the process, the details of the specific area in question (in this case, one portion of WMU 3A) seem to fade away, and everyone seems to discuss what they support for wherever it is they hunt. 

Since surveys conducted show that most hunters support ARs, I can't help but wonder how many of those hunters support it "across the board" for all areas of the state.

I have hunted this section of 3A since I was 16 (about 20 years) and for the life of me can't understand why anyone would want ARs there.  This is the central portion of the catskill mountains.  Per unit area, there are few hunters and plenty of deer that are living past 1.5.  Granted, the deer population there isn;t what it is in neighboring WMUs.  As evidence, there are hardly ever any doe permits given.

I just feel that if the majority of guys want AR here, something isn't adding up.  Do these same guys want it for the Adirondacks?  How about Westchester County? 

As I've stated in a previous thread, 14 of the last 16 deer my hunting party has shot in 3A have had 3 or more points.  A handful have been better than 160 pounds, up to 210 dressed.  Why would we want to change anything at this point?

[Bendog]

and here we go........

[nyantler]

There are several areas that have even stronger support 63% to 69% for Yearling buck protection with Antler Restrictions.  The highest number is from Central NY.

If there is all of this supprt for it....why are so many 1.5's getting wacked?. the 50-70% supporters don't practice it?...but support it?

Some do some don't.  When there isnt anything else....

They only support someone else doing it..lol

[Culvercreek hunt club]

now there is an hinest assessment..

[nyantler]

It also could be that they just don't have the willpower to pass on a small buck and want an AR law with consequences for killing a smaller buck to help them...

[Meat Hunter]

I have practiced Voluntary AR lots of times in 3A, buck walks by I let it go and then bang it’s dead on the next property.  Every one knows this- the surveys even show that, which is why 70 % support AR in UNIT 3A.  People want the same rules for all so that we all comply with the same standard.

The statewide numbers are how hunters feel in general and then we have the region specific surveys like 3A and the other units being added to the AR program. 

[13BVET]

Uh, who is "we all"? I practice my own guidelines too, but, I don't feel it's right to push those off on someone who sees it in a different light. After all, if I jump off a bridge, should everyone follow suit? This had nothing to do with DEC, as per New Paltz. This was nothing more than politics. Now, if DEC implemented AR's, I wouldn't like it, but I also wouldn't be so adamant about it either. When it comes to politically bs, that's where I have a problem. Apparently, this little group-Five County something or other, went over the DEC's heads on this issue-right to the political pukes. It's also interesting to note, according to the DEC in New Paltz, that future AR decisions (and maybe decisions in general), are effectively out of their hands, due to this fiasco. It is obviously far more involved than what has been put out there. Also, from what I heard, half of 3A is Ar's-not all of 3A. By the way, what poll was taken? According to the DEC, it doesn't have funding for localized polling like that. Something's not to kosher here................

[Doc]

If you want to see where politicizing of game management can lead, just look at the history of the New Jersey bear season.

[13BVET]

Agreed, Doc.

[Meat Hunter]

all the info is at the DEC website- shows all the surveys. 

The DEC will be adding another 7 units in the next 6 months to the AR program including 3A so then the whole unit will be ARs

[nyantler]

Uh, who is "we all"? I practice my own guidelines too, but, I don't feel it's right to push those off on someone who sees it in a different light. After all, if I jump off a bridge, should everyone follow suit? This had nothing to do with DEC, as per New Paltz. This was nothing more than politics. Now, if DEC implemented AR's, I wouldn't like it, but I also wouldn't be so adamant about it either. When it comes to politically bs, that's where I have a problem. Apparently, this little group-Five County something or other, went over the DEC's heads on this issue-right to the political pukes. It's also interesting to note, according to the DEC in New Paltz, that future AR decisions (and maybe decisions in general), are effectively out of their hands, due to this fiasco. It is obviously far more involved than what has been put out there. Also, from what I heard, half of 3A is Ar's-not all of 3A. By the way, what poll was taken? According to the DEC, it doesn't have funding for localized polling like that. Something's not to kosher here................

Although I agree with you on keeping this kind of thing out of the hands of politicians... if the DEC didn't drag it's feet on issues like this and make definitive decisions.. then groups wouldn't be going over there head to their friends in politics... I think I said a long time ago here that AR's are coming whether all hunters like it or not.. better to have it in the DEC's hand than the legislature ... the same thing will happen with crossbows in bow season... just wait and see.

[Va2]

I would love to see AR's in my area! Even with AR's in place NY has way to many hunters that will shoot more bucks then aloud and will not follow the AR rule. The DEC does not have the CO's to facilitate AR's, youth hunt or a one buck min! NY needs to increase fines and have stiffer punishments in place before anything positive happens.....