In the meantime, go get a doe license.
shoot the doe instead of the small buck.
If your going to shoot a something smaller then a 5 pointer shoot a doe.
In 3h (where the restrictions are) and many others, you need preference points to even have a chance at a dmp permit - in other words most hunters will not get one and their chances of being able to take a deer are remote at best. Couple years of this and the hunters that only get out a few times a year (A LARGE NUMBER) will just not bother and our ranks will shrink - NOT GOOD!
What's the difference between shooting a small buck and a doe? I would rather see a doe harvested personally
See above - can't shoot a doe with no permit.
Also - what is the difference between shooting a spike or a 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 year basket 8 pt? Both are young immature deer - bucks don't mature until 5+ years. If you shoot anything younger and you support mandatory points based AR, you are a hypocrite.
Here in central NY, over 60% of the 1 1/2 bucks are 6 point or better - same age the spike or less then 6 pointsyou guys are determined to save.
Let's target the best of the 1 1/2 old bucks - any way that makes sense to anybody?
t remember, we as hunters are consevationalist....it isn't about you, it's what is best for the herd as a whole.
Best for the herd? How?
Best for the trophy hunter? You bet - even though that trophy may be a 2 1/2 YOUNG buck.
Check the biweekly NYS Sportsman's paper. EVERY issue has lots of pics of great bucks taken in NY - and I bet hardly a fraction get to it.
NY is a big state with widely varied habitat, deer populations and carrying capacities - no way a one size fits all regulation can do any more then hurt. Some areas need pop increases, some need decreases, and some are close. The state cannot effectively manage overall numbers and some want them to manage age?
Steve