HuntingNet.com Forums - View Single Post - Antler restrictions: another view

02-23-2002 | 06:06 PM

#19

NJ_Bowhntr

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 237

Likes: 0

From: NJ USA

RE: Antler restrictions: another view

Cardeer, I agree with you, none of the states that consistently produce the jaw dropping racks have mandatory antler restrictions. John had a good point; what they do have is a short gun season, which is intended to protect bucks.

John, I do like the idea of antler point restrictions, and I know it's only one part of a QDM program, but right now it's the most contested part so that's what I brought up. The reason I'm against this is because it's state wide. I think that is a mistake. I also see people buying the argument that this is being considered for the health of the herd, and that is pattenly false, more on that later.

Big Country
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quotequote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
What I cannot agree with... how is this guy qualified to say that Alt, or anyone else is moving too fast, too slow, too anything. I think we are on uncharted ground in pa, due to our unique circumstances
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

BT Bowhunter
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

It's funny how Dr Alts peers, wildlife biologists, all seem to support his ideas. Some admittedly are watching with caution because as Big Country said, we are entering uncharted waters. His opponenets, however, dont cite any science when they make their case.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Show me a wildlife biologist that is willing to give us scientific evidence that Alt is wrong, going too fast or that we cant make Pa's herd better and healthier!
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

I have questioned why he was moving so fast before and been blasted as not having the credentials to question Dr. Alt by these same posters. I agree, Alt is the biologist and scientist here, but the thing is, you don't need to be an expert to see the problem with this current plan. And that is the scary part, anyone using common sense should be able to see it, but many refuse to do so. Here is what I mean. In the previous threads on this topic, everyone here has acknowledged that the deer herd in Pa. is different from one corner of the state to the next. Dr. Alt has himself said that in some area's the herd is over populated, in some it's in good shape and in others the numbers could probably come up some, everyone has agreed to that here before. For this stage of the game, that is all we need from the experts and science. These facts, and common sense tell us that the herd is already healthy in some area's, and is below the carrying capacity in others, so why should you belive that this statewide, blanket plan is for the health of the herd, when the herd is doing well in some area's already?

New Jersey has antler point requirements in some zones, but before they enacted them, they had volumes or data to rely on. For years, biologists were dispatched to deer check stations on the opening day of firearms season to gather data on deer. They took the age of the deer, the weight, antler diameter and number of points on yearling bucks, and other information to assess the overall health of deer in different area's of the state. After compiling data, the Game Council enacted antler point restrictions in zones that had the potential to produce larger deer if they were protected to gain a little age. The zones chosen were based on that data, the soil quality, food availabilty and quailty, and hunting pressure in that area. Pa. has done none of this yet, so where is the science to support antler restrictions state wide? Since everyone admits this is new territory, why not do it in selected area's and evaluate it's success there? Personally, I think it will show benefits, and it will give all hunters more time to warm up to the idea.

The primary reason I oppose the current proposal is one of choice, and hunters enjoying the hunting experience. I think that hunters should have a choice in their pursuit of deer. Not everyone hunts for big racks, some people get great satisfaction from taking a spike or four pointer, and since they pay the same amount of money as the trophy hunters of the state, they should be permitted to enjoy hunting as they please.

Right now, no one is stopping any of you guys from passing on on small bucks and waiting for a larger buck. However, if you get your way, everyone else will be forced to adhere to your hunting philosophy. It's clear that the health of the herd is not the real reason for this, so maybe you need to ask what is?

Reply

0