The down sides of points based AR:

1. You are putting increased pressure on the 60% of 1 1/2 year old bucks that are 6 pt or better pretty much wiping out the cream of the crop every year.

2. You are setting the bar very low that any 6 pt or better is now a trophy - that means all the 1 1/2 yo above or the 2 1/2 yo that are now 6 or better, are trophy's and targets. Doesn't matter that they may only be a 70 class. All are still young deer far from maturaty and there potential. I am in no way a trophy hunter, but if I was, please explain to me how legally targeting the best of the young bucks could possibly be productive


3. You say shoot a doe instead. Works only if you get a permit - ina lot of areas, manyhunters did not get one. Couple years of this and not being able to shoot a buck unless it is a trophy 1 1/2 70 class() and our numbers could drop furthur.

4. NY sold around 600,000 big game tags this year. The majority of these hunters probably hunt just a few days per season. They like the tradition of getting together with family and friends. They hope to see some deer and maybe get the chance to take one - many do not, but still want the opportunity. If they shoot a spike, then the young 6 point AR would have them target gets a walk and maybe lives. Then they leave the woods for those of us that perhaps more dedicated. But they are every bit as important as the serious hunter and have as much right to their methods as you and I.

We need to ENCOURAGE all hunters to remain and recruit for our future or there may not be one. Our future does not lay with the trophy hunt depicted on saturday television hunts.

Want bigger deer? LET ALL THE YOUNG ONES WALK. And educate others to do the same. Don't set the bar legally at a 70class and chase other hunters from the woods. Definition of "TROPHY" should be left to the individual.
JMO
Steve