PA antler restrictions for NY

[NYRuthunter]

Someone please tell me where this would make a huge difference?Im not seeing it 

[hvny]

I’ve been hunting PA since 1981 in TIoga/Potter Counties.   When I first started hunting we would see 50 or more deer on opening day, most being does, and considered any buck with 3 inch  spikes was shot.  Guys were really excited if it was a 6 pointer.   Since Gary Alt changed things in the early 2000’s  we have seen better and better bucks every year.  We don’t see as many deer but the last 10 years almost every guy in our camp has shot at least two nice 8 pointers.  Correlation doesn’t equal causation but that’s been my personal experience.

[Wolc123]

It would lead to “high-grading” as most of the young bucks with “extra “ points and true “trophy antler” genetics would get harvested, leaving only the “worthless” spikes to do the breeding.  
 

 

[Lawdwaz]

20 minutes ago, hvny said:

I’ve been hunting PA since 1981 in TIoga/Potter Counties.   When I first started hunting we would see 50 or more deer on opening day, most being does, and considered any buck with 3 inch  spikes was shot.  Guys were really excited if it was a 6 pointer.   Since Gary Alt changed things in the early 2000’s  we have seen better and better bucks every year.  We don’t see as many deer but the last 10 years almost every guy in our camp has shot at least two nice 8 pointers.  Correlation doesn’t equal causation but that’s been my personal experience.

Are all those guys mounting those nice 8pt bucks?

If not it’s just another set of antlers for the garage wall.    

[boo711]

No to antler restrictions!!!  I passed numerous spikes and 4 pts this year.   That was my choice. I am fortunate enough to have a lot of time to hunt come mid/late October until Jan 1.  But I know others who don’t get the time I have or even get Saturday and Sunday off on a weekend due to work.  So they may get 1 day a week to hunt.  They, or anybody should be able to shoot what they want. Hunting season is about controlling the population of the deer herd. Not about getting big antlers 

[NYRuthunter]

15 minutes ago, Wolc123 said:

It would lead to “high-grading” as most of the young bucks with “extra “ points and true “trophy antler” genetics would get harvested, leaving only the “worthless” spikes to do the breeding.  
 

 

I actually agree with this .Young bucks with good genetics would get shot the same as they are now .

[Bucksnbows]

IMO, public education of a buck’s age is all you need. ARs can and do lead to high grading over time. I think it’s 100% fine for a hunter to shoot a 1.5 year old buck if that’s what makes him or her happy and I’m talking a rack that doesn’t meet AR requirements.  The idea behind ARs is to broaden the age class structure of bucks in a given herd.  But educated hunters that can age bucks and buy in to wanting more older bucks around can manage local herds just fine. 

[Land1]

i would like to see in Souther tier leave the north alone, first 3 or 4 yrs may be tough but i think most would see good results... as far as te spike thing goes and genetics , from what i have read that would not be the case but just my thoughts 

[jperch]

According to the data supplied by the DEC, hunters in NY are statistically choosing to give a pass to younger bucks.  I lived in central Pa for 6 years and attended several of Gary Alt's lectures at Penn State.  His program was not only designed to balance the age classes of bucks but also (by increasing the doe harvest) to improve the states forests which suffered from over-browsing.  I hunted on state game lands and some land that bordered agricultural land.  There was lots of deer.  During rifle season I saw herds of maybe 50 deer, all doe.  In certain areas of NY, there are perhaps too many deer.  I don't think AR restrictions or increasing the number of DMPs will change that.  Property access and insufficient recruitment of new hunters are difficult problems to overcome.

[mowin]

35 minutes ago, Land1 said:

i would like to see in Souther tier leave the north alone, first 3 or 4 yrs may be tough but i think most would see good results... as far as te spike thing goes and genetics , from what i have read that would not be the case but just my thoughts 

Never work in the southern zone.  Too much area off limits to hunters.  And with all that prime land off limits, you'd think there would be a trophy buck for everyone..  

[solon]

1st world problem, that would most likely lead to less hunters in the woods . # of hunters is on the decrease and this will contribute to that decrease 

[ATbuckhunter]

33 minutes ago, Wolc123 said:

It would lead to “high-grading” as most of the young bucks with “extra “ points and true “trophy antler” genetics would get harvested, leaving only the “worthless” spikes to do the breeding.  
 

 

Its proven that there's no such thing as "a spike will always be a spike."

I'm all for antler restrictions. You can and will have good bucks in areas with out it, but ive seen areas where its really improved buck sizes. Some areas probably wouldnt need them like in the catskills or Adirondacks where deer densities are low and hunting pressure Isnt what it once was. 

[cj3a]

The property I hunt in 3m the landowner wanted 6 points or better.  I have not shot a deer since and don’t see a better quality of deer.  Did watch a 4 pointer get bigger over two years before the neighbors shot him. 

[lucky118]

These are the PA game land bucks I didn't  shoot this yr. NY  state land and most NY private land can't compare.

[NYRuthunter]

28 minutes ago, lucky118 said:

These are the PA game land bucks I didn't  shoot this yr. NY  state land and most NY private land can't compare.

Seriously ?every private land I hunt in WNY has just as big ,if not bigger than these pics .