Antler restrictions: another view
 

I know this topic has been beat to death here, but hopefully we can keep it being debated until the vote in April.

Those of us who have been outspoken against the current direction of the PGC and Dr. Alt have routinely been blasted as backwards or unimformed, among other things. Well, I think the tide may be turning. Many of you have probably seen this, but in case you haven't, here is another opinion from a respected outdoor voice that echoes some very real concerns, and repeats almost word for word some of the objections raised by a few on this board.

http://www.buckmasters.com/buckmaste...19JustSay.html

Read and enjoy

RE: Antler restrictions: another view
 

I can agree with a couple of this guys statements. Only a couple! First off, who is this guy. I have been reading just about every magazine there is for quite a number of years, and I never heard of this "deer expert". Now I do agree that pa does have the genetics, I agree that pen raised deer cannot be compared to wild deer. I also agree that pa has so many gun hunters that it is tough to manage.
What I cannot agree with... how is this guy qualified to say that Alt, or anyone else is moving too fast, too slow, too anything. I think we are on uncharted ground in pa, due to our unique circumstances. Yes, a genetically superior buck can pass the proper genes at 1.5, 2.5, etc., but how about all the states that have practiced QDM for years? Proven, simple method! Balanced ratio, harvest only mature bucks=healthy herd, bigger bucks. We can debate traditional pa buck hunting vs. guys like me, who want bigger bucks, until we are all blue in the face and it will get us nowhere. I can see your point of view, that is what I grew up with. Late 60`s, early 70`s, this was,and still is pa tradition... go to camp, get your buck, any buck. Is this wrong to want? NO. Is it contributing to an unbalanced herd in pa? YES.
Hey, there are a bunch of things that might work. And if a good idea comes up that conflicts with my personal agenda, that is fine. If I could have what I want, there would be no gun hunting, manage for big bucks, and make archery season twice as long. But I understand many more people want to gun hunt, so I am happy to see everyone get some of what they want. As far as embracing your "respected outdoor voice", you have a better chance seeing me quit supporting AR`s. It ain`t gonna happen!:)

RE: Antler restrictions: another view
 

I think the guy is full of hot air. I totally disagree with him. It would take too long for me to write everything out that I disagree with him about. So I just say He is wrong in my mind in many ways. Just MY opinion.

Brian

RE: Antler restrictions: another view
 

Oh one more thing. Here we go again.

brian

RE: Antler restrictions: another view
 

I'll say one thing.Iowa,Kansas,ill,Texas,Missouri.Canada dont have antler restrictions,and they have big bucks,Wonder why? Dont you people get it no matter what regulations these politicians come up with its all for capital gain.These commissioners ,Alt and all the upper crust of the PGC are politicians,butter there bread and there happy. Peel off there crust and they will run like cowards

RE: Antler restrictions: another view
 

First of all, what makes this guy a respected outdoor voice? I read virtually all the deer and hunting related magazines including buckmasters and dont remember this guy. He does elevate the expression of opinion over fact to an art form however. Dr Alt has never said he is mananging for trophy bucks. He is mananging for a healthier herd. One in balance with the habitat. He has admitted that bigger bucks are a by product that he needs to sell it to hunters. Yes AR's will still allow older bucks and young bucks with potential to die but the average age will increase. How much tougher is it to kill a buck that has made just one season. How many bucks die as a result of their first mistake in rifle season. By protecting juveniles for just one year we will help the most intelligent specimens to learn how to evade hunters which will further add to the average age. Isn't it best fo any species that the only the strongest, smartest, most adaptable specimens get to breed. One only needs to look at the current state of the human race to see that letting inferior specimens breed is not good for the whole species. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
It's funny how Dr Alts peers, wildlife biologists, all seem to support his ideas. Some admittedly are watching with caution because as Big Country said, we are entering uncharted waters. His opponenets, however, dont cite any science when they make their case. They simply state their opinions and proclaim it as fact.
The PGC conducted an independent study to get the opinion of Pa's hunters. Go to their web site and read the whole thing. I didn't see much of anything in the way of leading questions and the results show that a majority of Pa hunters are interestd in a better balance in the buck/doe ratio and a herd in balance with the habitat. Opponents merely ignore the simple principles of statistics and random sampling and say &quot;they didnt ask me&quot; or &quot;they didnt ask all hunters&quot;

Show me a wildlife biologist that is willing to give us scientific evidence that Alt is wrong, going too fast or that we cant make Pa's herd better and healthier!

Oh yeah, Wallingford made his statements before Alt took the helm. What have we heard from him lately?

RE: Antler restrictions: another view
 

Big Country
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
First off, who is this guy. I have been reading just about every magazine there is for quite a number of years, and I never heard of this &quot;deer expert&quot;.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

BT Bowhunter
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
First of all, what makes this guy a respected outdoor voice? I read virtually all the deer and hunting related magazines including buckmasters and dont remember this guy.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Maybe you guy's dont read enough, or maybe this shows you don't know quite as much as you think. Open your mind up a little to other view points without being so condescending.


He is one of the editors of Buckmasters, so I guess that gives him some credibility, probably more than those of you blasting him.

Edited by - NJ_Bowhntr on 02/23/2002 07:40:16

Edited by - NJ_Bowhntr on 02/23/2002 07:41:19

RE: Antler restrictions: another view
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Oh one more thing. Here we go again.

brian
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

LOL. I hope so Brian. It is a valid debate, and a worthy one to have.

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[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Antler restrictions: another view
 

I agree that it is a good thing, for certain area's bull. The problem is that in Pa they are trying to make it statewide, while at the same time saying they aren't sure what is going to happen, &quot;entering uncharted waters&quot;. Antler restrictions are something that should be done on a regional, or sectional basis, that way affording everyone an opportunity to enjoy hunting. Like it or not, some people are out there to shoot a buck, any buck, and we shouldn't condemn them for it.