Last time I checked...bow has made some fairly nice developments
But all archery tacke is still in archery season. And while longer shots are possible, it is still a 20 yard and closer harvest. National average for bow kill is less than 23 yards. Those that use it in gun have little or no impact on gun hunters.
Just because the technology has advanced in MZ has no bearing on whether or not a seperate season is needed
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That is exactly the reason an arguement can be made for no need for a seperate season (which once again I do not oppose unles it effects other seasons) - the only advantage a shotgun has is more shots. A modern inline for the most part is more accurate, has longer range, and can be reloaded with speed loaders in as little as 15 seconds. I am a 3 season hunter utilizing my Omega in 2 of them because it is a superior tool. I say this while looking in the mirror
If they want to better control the numbers, then let the hunters who routinely fill doe tags get more. Give everyone one to start instead of 2 randomly to hunters that may not fill even one. Return a filled tag and get issued another until the harvest numbers are met in the section.
Last year I had 3 tags with the super sportsman and drew only 1 more dmp. Had 2 more dmp legally signed over. Shot one buck in bow and filled the 4 antlerless tags. Many hunters in my section had 2 original dmps and at most filled only one. I hunt a lot and had many opportunities to fill more dmp if they were available and would have to donate to the Venizon programs. I was happy with my year and did not need to fill more tags but would have for management reasons.
The point I keep trying to make is that any goal the DEC is trying to achieve can be met WITHOUT splitting the seasons. Why go beyond what is needed to accomplish this.
Steve