Lets talk Catskills, NY bowhunting: Antler Restriction

[gregg dudley]

Originally posted by WTM45:
Forkhorn or 8ptr, the genes are already there.  Does not matter at what age they breed as to if "good" or "bad" genetics continue in the herd.

Excellent point.      

The sole purpose for managing for antlers on a state-wide basis is perceived hunter satisfaction.  There is no significant biological need for that type of management.  If you are not satisfied, let your voices be heard.

[gregg dudley]

Originally posted by Stumpknocker:
AR standards should apply to all ages.  Kids shouldn't be taught that killing a yearling is an accomplishment.  

With respect, I completely DISAGREE with this statement.  Killing a yearling, spike, nub buck, four point, whatever is a heck of an accomplishment for a kid, new hunter, disabled hunter,or anyone that hunts property that is not conducive to large deer populations or antler development.  That's like saying the 8 oz bass a kid catches on his spiderman pole doesn't count.

In some measure, hunter recruitment and retention is based on success. I've been playing this game for about 30 years now and I can tell you that the nubbin buck that I killed with that old 20 gauge 870 wingmaster when I was a teenager is as vivid a memory as any.  It satisfied my youthful bloodlust, fueled my enthusiasm and excitement, made me feel like I was a part of the hunting fraternity, and sealed my future as a hunter.  The deer that my kids killed when they were young served the same purpose.  They were hooked.  Within a few short years my son was self-regulating the bucks that he killed.  

It is not reasonable to expect young people or new enthusiasts to have the perspective that people who have been doing this a while have.

TV and heavy handed QDM will kill hunting.

[Knawbone]

Amen Gregg, I respectfully disagreed with that statement also. So many positives as I stated in a previous post. Well articulated Gregg!

[ltppowell]

There are three basic rules to deer management.

1) You have to kill more does, if you want more bucks.

2) Where you start, is where you stop. (You will seldom see bucks larger than the minimum allowed, whether it be by age or antler size.)

3)Everybody has to be on the same page. (That's the hard part.)