As I was reading a magazine last night, a gentleman from northern Missouri was all in a bunch over this. He says that it is the beginning of the end of hunting, and that since he can no longer shoot a small buck, he cannot as effectively provide food for his family.
Shoot does. Big does aren't hard to come by, and they taste the same or better.
if the deer can't grow to its optimum genetic level then he will never breed a doeto that level.
Age has nothing whatsoever to do with genetics. Deer, like humans, die with the same genetic code that they are born with no matter how old they are.
Use age and/or a size limit...ie 125inch minimum.
While I think that antler point restrictions are stupid because theyprevent the taking to older deer with small racks,antler score restrictions are even worse. How exactly isthe average joehunter supporsed to score a live deer accurately to ensure that it complies with the law? Sure, outfitterson private lands (many of the high fense variety)can use this type of requirement because they, or a guide representing them, is right there to make the final shoot/no shoot call and bears the responsibilityif they misjudge. To impose such a system by law wouldturna lot of honest hunters into poachers due to misjudgements in rack size (aka ground shrinkage). Howwould you like to be the one toldby a DNR officer, "well sir, your buck only scores 123 1/2" so I'm afraid I'm going to have to cite youfor poaching this animal and take your gun/bow and truck because you were 1 1/2" off youreyeball measurement. Sorry, but I'm just doing my job."
Legal antler restrictions in any form are the proverbial big s*** sandwich and all hunters will have to take a bite.
Mike