Welcome Summerflower, you make some very interesting points about AR, and our current herd. I too agree w/ you, and farmhunter on dominant bucks doing most of the breeding. I've read this, and learned this 20yrs ago in college studying deer mgmt. I've also witnessed it in the woods in a form of watching larger bucks running off yearlings. 3 seasons ago, I watched a nice 8pt running off 3 yearlings while all chased a lone hot doe. It was awesome to watch. I know thats just one small incident in our NY woods of course. But our yrly harvest numbers of constant more buck harvests, statements read in some of the info others have posted here. We all know most of the bucks harvested are yearlings in this state. Its always been that way, least in my lifetime. Its sickening to think only 25% of our male deer make it to 2.5 yr olds, and only 1% make it to 5.5yr olds. Sure we have large numbers of deer in this state, or did have anyways. But the bulk of the population being only 1.5yrs old isn't balanced or healthy. As far as genetics I agree its obvious a deer's genes are what they are regardless of age. But we don't know any deer's true makeup until they reach older age. Just becasue that buck was a 6pt at 1.5 doesn't mean he's going to be a 12pt at 2.5 or older. He may never do anything more then a average 8pt. But I don't believe genetics is the main concern at this point in time with our herd. Its getting it more balanced, and a wider age class of deer. Not just mostly 1.5 yr olds. If AR does work to balance that out, perhaps further QDM efforts can be made down the road, or at least allow private owners more opportunity to practice wider QDM methods. QDM efforts in this state are just too difficult for too many of us alone, unless your fortunate enough to own several hundred to 1,000 acres of private land. Most of us don't.
Phade my apologies for quoting you as writing private clubs. I don't like to post others actual quotes. Just my personal perference. I was referring to your indication you felt AR has its place in Private management. I was making reference to "Private" there. No harm, no foul.

It just seems to me something more needs to be done with our deer herd. Our regulations of past have constantly taught us its ok to shoot more yearling bucks, and less doe. Its obviously led to unbalanced numbers. The past several yrs have ever so slowly been turning that around, and I'm sure many of us would agree too many female deer is a problem for numerous reasons. It certainly not normal with any species to be made up of mostly younger age classes. Image our own human race if it was mostly made up of children, and teenagers. I know thats a crazy reference, but just think about it for a minute!!!!!!!!!!