Antler restrictions in place in NY's 3H and 3K

[Adjam5]

http://www.nyoutdoornews.com/article...news/news1.txt
I hunt 3H and I welcome these AR's for my area. That area is turning out nothing but tiny bucks. I have been hunting this area for over 20 years, and have only taken one nice 8 off of my land. Many locals, who have grown up there, have not taken a buck like I took in nov '01 . I already practice QDM on my land, I just hope the locals catch on. Many never even tag their deer
One thing that needs to be addressed is the lack of DMP's in those areas. If there is AR's, and a lack of DMP's, many will be discouraged from hunting in those areas.
AR's may not be the end all be all to improving the deer herd, but it is a start.
I welcome these AR's for the next 3 years.
I hope the junior archers are exempt from these AR's.

[QDMAworks4me]

Good for you I hope that the rest of the state is to follow!!! QDM really works

[johnf]

The way we do it in Arkansas makes a lot of sence to me. We have a blanket 3pt on one size for the whole state. Youth hunters under 16 can shoot any deer they want to for their first deer of the season, but after that they are restricted to the same ARs as everyone else. So if a spike comes out they can take it, but thier second deer has to be a regular legal buck or a doe.

[NYBUCK]

Yep JohnF I like that idea. Has anyone heard if they are going to expand the area. I would love it if they would include my unit.

[Born2Hunt]

It's about time. Now if we can get it in unit 6 that would be great.

[Squirrelhunter91]

Hey everyone.. I'm Adjam's son. I also welcome the AR's in Sullivan County. We have been following QDM on our land for about 2 years now, with a minor mistake, but that's over. Now with the WMU wide restrictions, everyone will have to shoot bigger bucks. It is a start nonetheless. I also hope junior archers are exempt from the restriction. I wouldn't mind arrowing a forkhorn or spike for my first buck.

[RangerClay]

I get that magazine. I only wish they had printed the ENTIRE article on the web. In it they also discuss the downside to AR in this zone and they make some very valid points. He wrote. "With lower deer number, AR in place and absoutely NO doe permits in these two DMU's, it's going leave many hunters wondering "What can I shoot?". With these restrictions you are going to have a huge drop in license sales in your area. It's tough to bring back hunters after they leave the sport.

IMHO Hunters in NY are sinking in a quicksand of political boloney. I wish I had a nickel for ever time I thought about leaving the state. I think we should focus on fighting our democrat assembly and helping our sport grow. The endless bickering over AR and growing big racks is not helping the issue. Right now there is a bill (a4771) that will outlaw .50 cal. ML's and 12 Ga. shotguns in NY. It has been sponsored by 25 assemblymen. And with Spitzer on the way as our next Gov. you will be lucky to have any guns to shoot your precious trophy racks. Just some food for thought. You can can argue the AR pro's and con's till we are blue in the face and you may win your point when we have statewide AR. But in the end we will only lose the war. I am logging off now to write a letter to my state senator and assemblywoman. I hope you do the same.

Ranger

[NYBUCK]

Ranger I agree but disagree too. You are right we have to stick together and we have much bigger fish to fry. However AR discussions we have as hunters can be healthy as long as we keep it a debate amoungst us. I am for AR but I also like to hear the other side, which we have seen both many times. IMO I like AR because I think it promotes a healthier and older herd. The problem is we need to do other things too that I won't get into here. But you are right, as long as we are led, (and I mean that loosely) by a bunch of anti-hunting liberals we are always going to being fighting here in NY for our rights. I like Ranger encourage everyone to write, email, call your legislators and voice your opinion.

[VtBowhunter]

Ranger, just remember that no matter how bad you folks have it in NY, at least you're not hunting in Vermont where it's been worse then NY for as long as I can remember.

[Doc]

RangerClay-

I too am a bit concerned about how AR might impact our hunter base. I noticed in the latest New York Outdoor News an article talking about another 5% reduction in hunting license sales in NY. I also noted that the DEC was blaming the reduction in permits as the primary reason. My conclusion to that is that whenever you create a situation where hunters begin to believe that they have no chance at success, we lose another gob of hunters. Now, we really have no choice but to cut permit numbers in some areas. But couple that up with AR, and you have a situation where, in some areas, hunters may be absolutely correct in assuming they have a zero chance at a deer of any kind. I really can't imagine too many people sticking with the sport when they finally become convinced that everything they see will be deemed illegal to shoot, particularly those that are on the fence already. Can we afford to lose these hunters? Well, with every announcement that our numbers are in decline, we continue to lose political clout and influence with the DEC and the legislature, which are items that are already in short supply in this state. I believe this is one of the reasons that the DEC has shown so little interest in AR and are constantly dragging their feet with this issue. Perhaps they understand the underlying dangers that are inherent in going too far with discouraging our hunter base.

Yes there are downsides to statewide rollout of AR, and nobody really seems to want to talk about them much. All we seem to see is visions of monster bucks all over the place. It may be time to get down and look at the over-all bigger picture.

Doc

[RangerClay]

First I owe NYBuck and everyone an apology. After reading my post a second time I can see how it sounds like I am saying that AR should not be argued anymore. That was not my intent. You are right that a healthy discussion is very important so that those who are uninformed can see both sides of the issue and make up their own minds.

Personally I think AR can be a good thing in small doses. Myself and my neighbors may be giving it a try. However I am against any statewide manditory AR for the same reasons I mentioned above and what Doc said. Hunters "might" and I use the word "might" loosely, see the benefits of AR in some areas. However 2-4 years of hunters saying, "what can I shoot?" will decimate our big game hunter ranks. Also you have places in our state that do not need AR. Literally forcing your opinions and style of hunting on someone just doesn't sit well with me.

Ranger

[wtnhunt]

Sure do wish they would implement some type of restrictions here. The states deer management attempts for this area have obviously gone in the wrong direction over the past couple years. The Arkansas restrictions John mentioned sound like a pretty good idea.

[Adjam5]

It seems like a REALLY wierd restriction.
It says that spikes and forkhorns will be protected.
OOOKAY....so 3pters, 5's and better? Yes?...NO?
How about a rule like 3 on one side?
Less confusing

[stsi36]

thats an odd restriction in my opinion

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
How about a rule like 3 on one side?


[/ QUOTE ]

Think that was what John meant. He had a typo I am guessing where he typed 3 on one size, he probably meant side.