Originally Posted by
BucksBearsnBows
While it's true that the browseline is less visible than it once was, anyone with any knowledge of the forest and a set of eyes could easliy see a distinct browseline all across the nothern tier and through most of the mountainous center of this state before the herd was reduced. I daresay that, if you're being truthful, your experience must have been limited to the areas of this state where agriculture takes some pressure off the woody browse that makes up most of the diet of the herd that lives in predominantly timbered habitat.
I am being 100% truthful and your guess as to what area I refer is not correct. I hunt and own property in 2G. Have lived in 3A. I am quite familiar with the NC region. As far as your comment concerning a distinct browseline I find that absurd and quite typical of someone who accepts cherry picked pictures from Alts tenure. I find it odd that most people are so willing to jump on the bandwagon of the PGC/DCNR without doing a little legwork and thinking on their own. A look back at the aging structure of our forest and mining technics tell the story. If you choose to "blame the deer" thats your choice, but selling that ideal to the general public as truth isnt something ill stand for.
Originally Posted by BucksBearsnBows
Now thats an interesting concept. Most folks, including all the leading deer biologists agree that age is the most important component in antler development. I will also agree that less deer competing for the available food will lead to healthier and therefore bigger bucks but how exactly does less deer make it easier for those that are left to hide??????? Less hunters simply means that the hunters left have to hunt the deer on their terms VS waiting for one to get pushed past them. Are you looking for a hunt or merely a shoot?
Poor choice of words on my part. We agree, and apparently so do the managers. It is taking an increasing number of hunters to harvest the same amount of animals.
Originally Posted by BucksBearsnBows
From what I can see, WMI is utilized by almost every state agency in this country without any dispute thus far as to their objectivity.
If you are unbiased, why do you seem to mistrust their audit before it's even complete?
You would be correct. My feelings stem from WMI themselves. "
WMI works closely with each agency in developing appropriate objectives and parameters for the work. " The audit will only tell you whether PGC guidelines are correct. What do you think the outcome will be? Science is an ever changing thing. And the PGC has stated that there will be mistakes made and has been. Given a higher financial threshold better plans could be made. Until a license increase those plans lay to rest(rearrange WMU). WMI's report will not tell the hole story.
Originally Posted by BucksBearsnBows
Yes it's my opinion. That opinion is based on personal interaction with hunters, what I see and hear every day and most of the hunting press and websites. As for polls, to my knowledge, there has not been much in the way of any professionally conducted polls on the current deer management since it's early days. Of what polls are you speaking exactly? Conducted by whom?
Until 2006, I was part owner of a business. Each year we would get plenty of feedback from the public. Those results are skewed I admit taking into consideration it was an predominantly agricultural area. There are plenty of polls on websites, do some legwork. Especially on certain sites geared toward pro PGC stance. As far as professional polls, there are none official that I can see. And why is it the PGC doesnt conduct an official poll on their site, sporting goods stores, etc....? We all know the answer to that question. Taking info from another thread, there has been polls as I said.....
Local State Rep Oberlander (63rd) did a survey of local residents on their 2nd amendment views, some of the results. First is the number or percentage of those surveyed for or against a subject.
2,377/95% for the Castle Doctrine
2,021/90% for tougher enforcement of existing gun laws.
1,895/76% support HB 1541 (financially deter Pa cities and local gov. from enacting illegal firearms ordinaces.
1,601/64% do not support license increase for PGC
1,548/62% do not support lifting the ban on sunday hunting.
Also an indicator is the uprise of posted property. Ill admit PGC displeasure may not be the main cause, but can not be ruled out nonetheless.