My point is not all areas are the same - therefore a one size fits all is not the way to go.
If we are seeing less quality deer in the area, AR is not a bad thing.Seems you know your stat's, so you must also know then that 90 percent of all the bucks taken in NY are 1.5 and younger. "90" percent!
Personaly never seen a definition of a "quality" deer.
And in the 3 wmu's (7j, 7h and 7M?) CNY Whitetails tried to introduce their trophy management scheme, 60% of the 1 1/2 are 6 pt or better. I believe I remember their study showing 30% plus where 8 or better. These are stats from a study done by a wildlife biologist. Points based AR would pretty much insure our best young bucks would be wiped out each year instead of spreading the pressure over the entire buck population. I STRONGLY suggest anyone thinking pts AR to be something they support should research "hygrading" and its effect on the buck population.
Pa's program was not to build the herd and as far as how AR is working, it really depends on who you talk to, where they get their numbers, and how those numbers are "worked" and presented. And it has only been 5 years.
I believe its Arkansas or Alabama that has had pts AR for much longer.
Their legal buck total inches has actually gotten lower. Again - see hygrading.
What the NY herd needs is to be managed for balanced population (match numbers to habitat) in unit sizes that make sense. Perhaps go to a one buck per hunter rule. I am lucky - where I hunt in southern Cayuga Cty - (little parts of) 7j and 7h, we seem to have that balance. Overall numbers are down a bit, but most who hunt around me - including the large state land areas around and bordering my several small areas- are still seeing huntable numbers. I have passed on numerous small bucks (my choice and I still may shoot one) and a lot of does (and still taking 3).
And it has been an outstanding year here for mature bucks - A couple 160's, acouple 150's, a handful of 130 and 140's and several 100 and above. More are talking about and letting younger ones walk, but few get bent over what an individual shoots. I personally do not believe that 90% of the 1 1/2 bucks could get killed hereand still produce these deer.
Drastic unproven changes that dictate to all hunters the style that some embrace are not needed and could hurt some areas greatly. Population balanced with local habitat should be every ones goal. Leave the trophy style management to the individual.
Steve