Every year in NY there area good number of outstanding bucks taken - check the NY outdoors mag - every issuehas pics of great deer taken - factor in that only a small % of hunters get the mag the pics probably represent a small % of the nicer kills. All this WITHOUT AR/TM being mandatory.
Every tournament, playoff, game, or championship I have been involved with I have wanted to take home a trophy.
For many/most, hunting is not a contest, tournament, playoff, game or championship where theysuccess ismeasured against other hunters. And I will never understand the need for, or the satisfaction recieved from comparing my kill to something on tv.
If the state is going to enact laws that help me do that I am all for it.
Wouldn't there be a greater sense of accomplishment to do it threw your own efforts entirely? You want a ride to the finish line?
I like the system in NY. If you want to hunt big antlers, they are they and more special because their numbers are not artificially inflated by mandatory TM practises. But if you are happy just hunting, seeing and maybe shooting a deer, you can. For the most part, our herd is "healthy" enough to support both hunting styles.
Steve