I am completely supportive of these efforts and feel they are long over due. New Jersey has been using similar tactics the last several years and taken it one step further. They have an "earn-a-buck" program through much of the state in which you have to first shoot a doe (antlerless deer) before you get your buck tag.

Like in PA there was resistance to this when it was first instated, but now it has gained acceptance, or at least people have gotten used to it. On one of the properties we hunt you could expect to see 50-60 deer every time in the field, but they were all small and the bucks were basket racks. Now, you don't see near as many deer, but the deer you do see are much bigger and healthier (bucks and does) and there are at least 3 P&Y bucks on the property and about 6 or 7 good 2.5 year old 6-8 points. If you are a trophy hunter you have better opportunities and if you are a meat hunter you have better deer. With results like that, I don't know why anyone would complain.

Edited by - huntingbry on 09/11/2002 19:26:08