Wayne Laroche is a biologist and the head of our Fish and Wildlife Department. I attended many of hearings relating to antler restrictions. I believe they are in a 5 year plan to improve the health of our herd. My view is that something had to be done due to the vast majority of bucks being in the yearling age class and the poor B/D ratio. Breeding has changed and many of these smaller bucks are doing the breeding allowing some inferior genes to pass into the pool. When there are lots of dominant bucks around they do the breeding thus improving the herd. I live in VT and have huntedhere for 40 yearsand hunt at least one andsometimes two other NE state every year. I can safely say the huntingin VTis the worst of the neighboring states. This year there have been some nice bucks shot and I attribute that to the yearlings being able to see their second year. It will only get better over time. I am solidly behind Wayne Laroche and the improvements he is making to our state.