Phade I understand your not in total agreement with this proposal, but for some reason you seem to believe you have a total understanding if its reasons. So now were talking the 7 day ml, doe only, DMP tag only as a micro-mgmt tool! I really wonder if the DEC even has a clue anymore! In my DMU I've seen 2 yrs of double issued permits, to 1 permit, to permit w/ perference pt only, to landowners only, and now to help fill permits, and micro mgmt our herds open this special DMP ML season. I still say its b.s. There are other reasons were not being made aware of here.
Here's what I think, its more to satisfy the groups wanting more ML time, its to give hunters more opportunity in the woods becasue license sales are down, and that results in lack of $ to the DEC. But I feel the big reason license sales are down in this state is becasue of what hunters want most! Large bucks, and lots of deer. How many hunters you know consider hunts in states known for larger bucks such as Illinios, Kansas, etc. Think back to when deer hunters #'s were up, we had alot more deer. Now I understand we have to mgmt to the carrying capacity of the land, but its since become more then that. Its about crop lands damage, auto-deer accidents. The lack of deer, and large bucks has caused hunters in this state to buy, lease, and post lands for their own private use to manage their own herds for that lifetime trophy. I know for a fact two large companys in this state that lease lands for hunting rights are sold out on leases. All their woods are being leased. Just like Yox wrote private, posted, and unhunted lands are harbouring alot of deer, that are being accounted for in the overall population. Deer that can't be harvested. Deer that regulate how many permits will be issued to each DMU. So how can the DEC even possibly mgmt this herd correctly. Thats where the problem is private, posted, unhuntable lands harbouring deer. To help solve this issue the DEC needs to consider such things as tax breaks for private land owners opening their land to hunting. Going to a full QDM program to grow larger bucks, and develope a healthier herd. The move towards 2 DMU's being antlered restricted is the first step, but it should've been done yrs ago. I was learning about QDM 20yrs ago in college, but yet its the private owners that are practicing QDM, planting food plots, making antler restrictions in their hunting groups. Not our fabulous DEC. Its time this state WOKE UP! A 7 day doe only, DMP tag only ml season in the middle of archery is hardly the answer. Why is it being proposed in the middle of Oct., and archery season? Becasue thats the soonest the DEC proclaims they can issue DMP's for the upcoming season, even with the computer license system upgrade. More b.s. Too much B.S. ,I'm tired of the B.S., period!