First I'd like to introduce myself. I have hunted the Adirondacks for almost 18 years. During this time I have hunted with the bow as well as with the shotgun and rifle. On average I spend 1000 hours in the woods every fall. Although all of this time has not been exclusively in the Adirondacks. I'd like to leave it for now that I have hunted a variety of places...all within NY. As you may see, I have been a member here for a while. Honestly that means nothing. Time does not make you "holier than thou!" in a forum. I do have to say that I have not even been a "looker" here during any of this time. Shame on me! Especially for not even saying hello once and a while.
I do have a little knowledge on AR and I'm a huge fan of it.

I have seen every arguement against it as well as ever one for it.
As far as strenghtening the deer herd. It most certainly does. The question many miss is what does "strengthening" the deer herd mean?

I work for a landowner that owns over 5900 acres in the Adirondacks.
AR is all about numbers and how those numbers affect the deer herd.
When talking about AR we are usually talking about bucks but does play a key role here as well.

Have you ever had the chance to watch a buck breed a doe? Have you ever had a chance to watch a yearling breed a doe?
Do you know how many estrus cycles the average doe goes through in your immediate area? or even the areas thatt you have hunted throughout your hunting life?
Every area is a little different than another as far as the buck populatin is concernted. Some areas have a great genetic background or history while others have poor genetics county wide.
Overall AR will help NY's herd. On the local level it may not seem too beneficial.
Before you go off crazy at me, answer this. What are the consequences of a yearling buck entering the breeding population?
How does it affect "him" ?
How does it affect the rut?
How does it affect the genetic quality of the deer in question?
These answers can be long.....but think, if you really haven't already, about nutrition, genetic diversity, as well as the overall sceme of the rut and the consequences to a drawn out rut.

I am by far no expert...wait a minute, I do get paid...so maybe I am of some sorts....LOL. We need to look at what is best for the herd and not, what is best for "ME" We could have thousands of more "monsters" running around....wouldn't you like to be one of the ones that help to "hook our youth?" Let's face it....after looking at all the TV shows, wouldn't you rather hunt for an 8 pt'er than a 4? Especially knowing that the 4 will be the same size if not even bigger the next year?
I am by far not a "horn hunter" Every hunt is special to me. I keep a of very deer I harvest. Please notice I said harvest and not shoot. I take great pride in the deer that I am allowed to hunt. Every hunt is special.
The first buck I shot in the Adirondacks was a spike horn, 18 years ago. I have him mounted on my wall. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. Do I wish it were bigger? Never have I once. Would I like to see more 3 and 4 year olds running around? Absolutely!
I'm not trying to make you want AR in NY. No matter what information is presented to an individual, some will never change their minds. Isn;t free thought a great thing? Hopefull we can work through some of the bugs and misconceptions about AR and what it may not be all about!
BTW: If you are the average hunter of NY, you will see AR by the time you reach your "free license" age. Like it or not.........

DJH