I hunt units 3C and 3J almost exclusively. I absolutely have noticed a difference in the number of mature bucks I have seen. There is no doubt in my mind that the AR's are letting a few morebucks mature. On the other side of the coin I can say that in the last two seasons I have never seen fewer deer in25+ years of hunting these units. I think there is a real lack of participation in the reported harvest. My opinion is that since the DECALS system has been established far fewer harvested deer have gone reported and the DEC believes there are more deer inhabiting these areas than there actually are.

I have no problem with the DEC implementing the statewide antler restriction. Bring it on.

s6