Just got my copy of New York Outdoor News and the lead story is that the DEC has decided to scrap a plan to expand AR regulations into more wildlife management units sighting that department biologists "see no specific management benefit associated with the antler restriction program and do not consider antler restrictions as necessary to improve herd condition".

Grannis called the issue one of hunter preference, and said hunters are "deeply divided"on the issue.

I applaud the DEC's decision! Hunters are free to impose whatever restrictions they want on themselves but when they attempt to push their preference on others, NO is the right response. Thanks again DEC for having what it takes to stand up against the pressure.

I think your missing a great opportunity for some incredible hunting.
AR's in PA would of been the greatest thing to happen to this state if it had not been coupled with a plan that has reduced the herd to levels many find unnecessary.
IF Kids a seniors are omitted I see no reason not to let the age of the herd to increase and with this age a better generic make up of the herd will surface.
I do see your point about over regulation but I have seen the results here in PA and we are shooting some great bucks.

They started a no spike rule here in Vt and I can tell you it is way better hunting than it has been for years. Lots of 2 1/2 year old and up when before 80% of the kill was yearlings.

I agree with Jim. I like the antler restrictions, but the excessive herd reduction has killed alot of the benefit in many areas.

If New York were thinking of AR without extreme and excessive herd reduction along with it, Id say you couldnt go wrong. With all the hr though.... Tell them to take a hike.

I go back and forth on this issue but I think the DEC got this right. I think that if someone gets a kick out of shooting pencil horned spikes year after year they should be allowed to do it, especially on their own property. IF for example the AR's were imposed only on State Land i would support that because the State owns it and they have a compelling interest in seeing how the resource is managed. But as far as mandating how someone has to hunt on their own property, i think that goes a little too far.

I was hoping for the restrictions. I let my State reps know that. Oh well.

GMIL6184: Good point about your own property vs. state land.

Statewide habitat and herd numbers very far too widely to have a one size fits all approach.

In that article, the AR proponents are claiming 67% of the NYS hunters favor AR. If thats the case, who is it shooting all the 1 1/2 old bucks every year? That other 33% must be some darn great hunters.

Steve

Did you mean the "genetic" make up of the herd? If so the exact opposite is more likely to occur since ARs are the exact opposite of natural selection.

Could the Pa guys who have argued for 100's of threads and 1000's of repeated posts under who knows how many alter ego screen names, let the NY hunters have one thread to debate amongst themselves? You obviously can neither fix or agree on what Pa needs/doesn't need/wants or has done - how can you possibly hope to offer anything of value to NYer's?

LMAO!! As if shooting small buck is considered natural selection. You need an edumacation.. No disrespect to the younger hunters meant, but Bluebird2, I figure you can't be more than 17-18??