RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

There is no doubt about the numbers being down, it has been presented publicly as fact. The AP has ran articles with quotes from high ranking DEC personnel acknowledging this. Add in the preseason estimate of less than 1million deer in NYS, and we have hope to not endure the changes.

However, I think the real key is going to be a combination of the reduced harvest numbers, AND how this winter goes. Our last winter was just a bit on the harsh side, but enough to limit the growth unlike the years preceeding us. That led to the sub 1 million number in combination with last years good harvest results. Hence our current situation.

We should know more soon, but hopefully before the DEC jumps in head first.

RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

I am not against the use of modern MZ, but do not like the option of putting a season within another season, that is just flat out stupid. Make it a linear fashion IE BOW/MZ/GUN or any similar example, but not implementing the dreaded in-betweens.

What forms do you hunt? And what are your thoughts on what 05's season should be?

RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

I hunt with a recurve most of the time on the ground. And I have no problem sharing the season with compound hunters who prefer treestands. Different types of BOWS sharing the bow season. I enjoy hunting with my Omega also, but see no reason to use it in any other season than a GUN season. If anything, I consider my Omega as much as an advantage over a shotgun as a compound may be over a recurve. I hope the shotgunners don't want to throw me out of the reg season:D

Bow in bow - gun in gun. Sounds right to me.

Steve

RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

Phade, you make a valid point. Bow/Muzzleloader, then followed by the regular gun season. Again, they will put this up for a Vote. I guess they want to try an keep everyone happy. If I had a choice, I'd be picking bowhunting over gun hunting anyday.
The NYB group were trying for years to get to allow "us" bowhunters to use our doe permits during the entire bow season, not just during the rut. How many years did they try before somebody at the DEC finally agreed? One word comes to mind here.......Politic's!! This deer season was the pits!! The rut stunk, and gun season wasn't far behind. I never seen such low deer numbers!! How do they come up with the deer number figures anyway??? I use to see anywhere between 15-25 deer on opening day of shotgun season, this year none??? But they still are giving out permits like the deer numbers are way up?[:-]

RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

Ironically, I had the single best bow season I have ever had. The problem is I did not take anything. I only hunted 11 afternoons, but saw more deer in those hunts than I had in the previous three years of hunting every season included. Soon as gun hunting began it stopped, but at least I was able to take a doe this year on gun opener.

I saw so many bucks during bow I still cannot believe it. I use ladder stands, and hunt a small woodlot exclusively during bow. I set up a new stand this year, and seeing the amount of deer and good high end bucks, I firmly believe, I set my stand a mere ten yards off a trail too far. I will now put another one up there next year (I will leave the current one there, as I believe it will be a better gun stand).

However, do not think I propose a BOW/MZ/GUN season in that order. My preference would be BOW/GUN/MZ. I would have the BOW opener on Oct 1(or near), although it would be tough hunting in the warmer weather, but nice to be able to set up on a warm weather patterned deer. I would leave GUN exactly as is, even a Monday opener ( I know Saturday is more logical and practical, but I like tradition). I would extend the MZ season into the end of December, and possibly the first weekend of January.

I could deal with a BOW/MZ/GUN season if it went like
Oct 1 open BOW
MZ 1/2 of the last week of our current BOW, and first half week of our current GUN.
GUN up to the sunset of the first Sunday in January.

But MZ would only get a week of hunting albeit partially in the rut. So I really would like to just keep the current season with an extension on either end.

RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

It appears that most of us all have our own ideas on how the deer seasons should start and end. Either way, the Sportsman in NYS will have to all vote on it, or don't complain if it doesn't agree with you. Nuff said.;)

RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

Maytom - you are right - we all have our opinions. Problem with this proposal is we will NOT have a chance to vote on it. The dec is planning a few public meetings in Feb 2005 where we can supposedly give feedback. Then they( whoever they are) will decide our season. We can only hope they will keep our interests and the health of the herd in mind.

This is why it is so critical everyone contact the DEc and their legislator's to provide feedback now.

Steve

RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

,
Steve archery season gets longer. Not to pick on you or NYB but sometimes you don't say it like it actually is. One of the main reasons I won't become a NYB member. I don't think it's by accident all the time.

On another note, Deer densities,
it was brought up that a healthy deer herd has 11-16 DSM(don't know if this is true). Do people really sit down to think how low that is. That's 11-16 deer per about 640 acres. I've also noticed that non of the Dr. Alt fans respond to Deer density questions that much. Thats like 1 deer per 50 acres!

RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

Bow27 - you are taking my statement out of context. We currently have a 5 week bow season to hunt undisturbed deer. The mid Oct mz season will give us only 2 weeks. After a week of being driven and chased by rifles, it will take some time for the herd to return patterns and not be on high alert.

We may differ on the amount of effect it may have, but it WILL effect deer behavior. Especially after a few years when mz tag sales triple or more because of the ease of taking a doe with a rifle in the early season.

What many seem to miss in my posts is that I AM NOT ANTI MZ - I own, hunt with and greatly enjoy a 45 cal Omega. To me it is much more effective than a shotgun. I have taken 2 deer in the last 2 days with it. I just strongly feel that if more opportunity is needed to fill those tags, it can be offered without gutting bow season.

If you read all my post, you know I am only a member of NYB, and am speaking here only for myself. NYB is made up of individuals - like any group, there will never be full agreement on all issues. But it is the only large group in our state watching out for the bowhunter. We are a minority and not considered even a management tool. Your opinion on their direction would be better heard as a member - just my personal opinion.

Steve

RE: NY Bowhunters Reply To 2005 Proposals
 

Bow27 and all - here is info from a study done on how the proposed changes will fall on the calender. I admit there is some opinion offered but it does show the actual changes in days afield.



"1.) The introduction of a firearm into the middle of the archery-only season will reduce the archery-only season for hunting undisturbed deer to a mere two weeks.



2.) Bow hunters gain ZERO weekend days of hunting during the early season.



3.) Bow hunters on average gain only 3.3 days afield during the early season and in fact over a quarter of the time gain zero or lose one day afield.



4.) Bow hunters lose two days (one weekend) of hunting opportunity during the rut due to the proposal to open the regular (firearms) season on a Saturday. In addition the proposed muzzleloading season will end as late as October 28th, resulting in lost time on the front end of the rut.



Deer become extremely disturbed after a firearms season, making them difficult to effectively hunt with a bow and arrow. The proposed October muzzleloader season in the middle of the archery-only season will dramatically alter the behavior of deer, resulting in bow hunters having an inferior hunting experience as well as a diminished opportunity for success. This proposal does not provide any significant gains in hunting opportunity for bow hunters during the preferred early season."

Steve