As far as strenghtening the deer herd. It most certainly does. The question many miss is what does "strengthening" the deer herd mean?
Very good question so what do YOU mean when you say that it strengthens the herd? You didn't say in your post.
We need to look at what is best for the herd and not, what is best for "ME"
My sentiments exactly. Only difference is that I think those who are for AR are the ones that are doing the "what is best for ME" thing. What they are interested in pure and simple is a better chance to kill a big buck. All this baloney about a helthier herd is just a cover.
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?
The answer to all of this is all over our state right now. We have a healthy strong herd of nearly 1 million.
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?
See what I mean? Big bucks is the priority and the TV shows are a perfect example of how we are teaching our kids that that's all that matters.
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.........
You are probably right. I realize that I am in the minority when it comes to AR. Sadly I believe that the majority of hunters are being lured by the promise of it being much easier to kill a monster and that will make their hunting experience much more satisfying. Well I believe it's a false promise and one that in the long run is detrimental to a sport that I have loved all my life.