Thoughts on Antler Restrictions?

[Rusty]

NJ has decided to drop Antler Restrictions in all zones where they had been in place.

Personally this makes me very happy.  Antler Restrictions cause high grading, targeting the deer that you want to protect and protecting the deer with inferior genetics.  In addition, it's one group of hunters telling everyone else what they should and shouldn't shoot.

What are your thoughts on Antler Restrictions?   

[blackbeltbill]

4 minutes ago, Rusty said:

NJ has decided to drop Antler Restrictions in all zones where they had been in place.

Personally this makes me very happy.  Antler Restrictions cause high grading, targeting the deer that you want to protect and protecting the deer with inferior genetics.  In addition, it's one group of hunters telling everyone else what they should and shouldn't shoot.

What are your thoughts on Antler Restrictions?   

Oh Boy-- if there was ever a time for the Mayor to jump on Board--- this Thread is it.

   Not much of a Deer Hunter here- but looking forward to the early Anterless Season this Coming September. 

  Still,I think a Grown Man with Decades under his belt should not target little Spike Bucks with a very narrow 1" sticking up. 

[Skillet]

I don't like antler restrictions. 

Hunting didn't originate as a trophy sport. It was a way to eat. 

Sure I like antlers, and if I happen to see a big buck, I'll shoot it. That said, I'm pretty happy with a doe or a fork, too. I don't care. I'm thankful to take a deer. To the ones saying "just shoot a doe then" no, I will take what I want to take. Thanks for minding your own business.

Rusty nailed it, it's one group of hunters forcing their views on the rest of us. 

If antler restrictions came to my area, and covered the land I pay for, I wouldn't obey them. 🤷

 

Edited August 20 by Skillet

[Skillet]

17 minutes ago, blackbeltbill said:

Oh Boy-- if there was ever a time for the Mayor to jump on Board--- this Thread is it.

   Not much of a Deer Hunter here- but looking forward to the early Anterless Season this Coming September. 

  Still,I think a Grown Man with Decades under his belt should not target little Spike Bucks with a very narrow 1" sticking up. 

How's that different from an experienced turkey hunter taking a jake? Did that not bring you satisfaction? If not, why take it?

[blackbeltbill]

10 minutes ago, Skillet said:

How's that different from an experienced turkey hunter taking a jake? Did that not bring you satisfaction? If not, why take it?

   First and foremost- there are not as many Wild Turkey as Deer.   When a rare opportunity  on Public comes- you take it . Out for a 2 Mile walk- later.

  

[lucky118]

I only hunt antler restriction areas  in NY and PA. Mostly PA just because it's closer and the odds of shooting a nice buck are way higher.  The NY place I hunt, have hunted there 20 yrs and only shot 1 deer I would consider  a nice one. But the number of shootable /legal per antler restrictions has gone way up. Before the restrictions I would barely ever see a buck. And more than likely it wasn't higher than a 6 point. 

[Skillet]

6 minutes ago, blackbeltbill said:

   First and foremost- there are not as many Wild Turkey as Deer.   When a rare opportunity  on Public comes- you take it . Out for a 2 Mile walk- later.

  

Come on Bill. 

Deer hunting on public is no gimme either. The public land around here gets pounded hard. If you see a spike, and pass that's great, but don't complain if you get nothing. 

None of that matters though. I'm not going down your favorite rabbit hole.

Public, private, whatever. The trophy is in the eye of the beholder. 

Shoot what you like, and be happy. Don't make excuses or disrespect the animal. The hell with what anyone thinks.

 

[grampy]

Shoot what you like. Like what you shoot.

I don't favor antler restrictions. Seems many more hunters these day hold out for an older buck. Much more so than years back. That's great! But if a hunter just wants to shoot the first legal buck they see, to fill the freezer. That’s great too! Or a hunter who may only get out one or two days a season. It isn't a one size fits all situation. We all hunt differently. We all buy our tags. And should not be told what deer we can, or can't shoot.

[blackbeltbill]

1 hour ago, Skillet said:

Come on Bill. 

Deer hunting on public is no gimme either. The public land around here gets pounded hard. If you see a spike, and pass that's great, but don't complain if you get nothing. 

None of that matters though. I'm not going down your favorite rabbit hole.

Public, private, whatever. The trophy is in the eye of the beholder. 

Shoot what you like, and be happy. Don't make excuses or disrespect the animal. The hell with what anyone thinks.

 

There are a Hell of alot more Deer then Wild Turkey.  Easier choice. 

 But if someone wants to shoot a Spike and chow down on the Balls- have at it.

 No complaints here. I passed up a New Jersey Gobbler this past Spring. Not many would do that..

 

[blackbeltbill]

56 minutes ago, grampy said:

Shoot what you like. Like what you shoot.

I don't favor antler restrictions. Seems many more hunters these day hold out for an older buck. Much more so than years back. That's great! But if a hunter just wants to shoot the first legal buck they see, to fill the freezer. That’s great too! Or a hunter who may only get out one or two days a season. It isn't a one size fits all situation. We all hunt differently. We all buy our tags. And should not be told what deer we can, or can't shoot.

Just going for a Doe again this year. I probably  won't  go out past this early September unless Cynthia  drags me out to be a Driver. I like that role and,I don't freeze in one spot. And,I am the guy to look for to drag a Deer.

[mowin]

2 minutes ago, blackbeltbill said:

There are a Hell of alot more Deer then Wild Turkey.  Easier choice. 

 But if someone wants to shoot a Spike and chow down on the Balls- have at it.

 No complaints here. I passed up a New Jersey Gobbler this past Spring. Not many would do that..

 

You passed, if I recall correctly, because it wasn't a great shot opportunity.  Your making it sound like you had a tom practically in the frying pan and let him walk..

I really didn't expect you to bash shooting a spike when you took a Jake.  And your " more deer then turkeys" excuse is lame.  

 

Now back on topic.. I don't like ARs. Shoot what makes you happy. Hunt the way you want, not they way someone else thinks you should. 

[Ncountry]

2 hours ago, blackbeltbill said:

 

   Not much of a Deer Hunter here-

  Still,I think a Grown Man with Decades under his belt should not target little Spike Bucks with a very narrow 1" sticking up. 

Jeesh Bill, that is a bit harsh. I'm a little ashamed of you.

I actually like hunting areas with antler restrictions. I hunt public land 90% of the time and seem to see a lot more mature bucks. 

That being said, I don't like telling others what they should shoot either.. I'm not sure if that is the way our "sport" should be going. I've shot my fair share of young bucks over the years.

[mowin]

I love to hunt. I only need one deer a yr for myself as my wife won't eat anything that doesn't have a Hannaford sticker on it.

I usually pass everything small until something trips my trigger. Any additional deer I shoot goes to family and friends. I encourage those who hunt with me to take whatever they want.  If they are happy, I'm happy. 

[blackbeltbill]

54 minutes ago, mowin said:

You passed, if I recall correctly, because it wasn't a great shot opportunity.  Your making it sound like you had a tom practically in the frying pan and let him walk..

I really didn't expect you to bash shooting a spike when you took a Jake.  And your " more deer then turkeys" excuse is lame.  

 

Now back on topic.. I don't like ARs. Shoot what makes you happy. Hunt the way you want, not they way someone else thinks you should. 

I did have him in the bag by 90%. If,I feel there is any chance of a Wounding, I will pass and,I have done that on a good 12 Gobblers and a number of Jakes . Very few would do that today. But,I have killed more then my share.

   

[blackbeltbill]

47 minutes ago, Ncountry said:

Jeesh Bill, that is a bit harsh. I'm a little ashamed of you.

I actually like hunting areas with antler restrictions. I hunt public land 90% of the time and seem to see a lot more mature bucks. 

That being said, I don't like telling others what they should shoot either.. I'm not sure if that is the way our "sport" should be going. I've shot my fair share of young bucks over the years.

Don't worry about me- just do what you enjoy my Man.