The "Big Results" you will see James are fewer deer being killed by hunters,more car/deer accidents,additional stress to the habitat because of an overabundance of deer. Do I hear a crash?

this is not very hard to understand that the gun season is way too long. cut the gun season down a week an make the gun season antler restricted an add that week to the bow season.also keep the doe permits down an keep bow season either sex.U WILL SEE BIG RESULTS.

Fairgame, I do not doubt what you are saying as to what is taking place on your "private hunting ground", however, hunters who do not have a little piece of heaven to hunt on and hunt Public Land (as limited as it is) should be afforded the choice of deer to kill. Make all private land AR and have yourself a good old time, but not at the expense of Public Land hunters.

Our responsibility as hunters is to conserve, be good stewards of what we have. The one thing that gets me back into the deer woods year after year is the time spent in nature, gods creation. I love just being out there, and i know many of us feel the same. Whats the other reason we go out?? Come on, i know for a fact the night before opening day of bow season or gun season all that is running through everyones mind is a giant buck stepping into view that next day. Everyone wants to shoot a big buck but noone wants to have the patients to put in the time and pass on young deer. For everyone for ARs , Im with you.

For Anonymous I can show you how the program is working without having drastic antlerless permits. Yes after four years now we need more antlerless permits. But I can let you stop by my place and prove to the non believers that ARs are working. If Everone wants proof go to the areas that have them in place and see for yourself. People may not let anything go cause they are afraid they wont see another deer. The reason people dont see another deer is cause noone lets anything walk. Let them walk and have patience, with time it will work.

For all the AR supporters out there, the program only works with drasic harvests of antlerless deer and habit improvement. Genetics play some part in developing good antler growth, but the deer are what they eat. Excessive deer numbers over the years has contributed to the devastation of wildlife habitat and the incursion of nonnative species of plants which deer do not prefer to eat.

One of the biggest problems we have as hunters is that we cannot agree on anything. The special interest groups amongst us demand something special to suit their own style of hunting and begrudge what others want and deem important.
We should all take a good look at ourselves in the mirror and ask ourselves, are we the problem? Clearly,we as hunters have created a mess amongst our ranks and it will not be cleaned up until we learn to work together. Good luck with that approach!

If the AR advocates are truly concerned about protecting yearling bucks, a start would be a one-buck regulation... Earn-a-Buck COULD work in NY in terms of helping DEC get the needed antlerless harvest.... Mandatory ARs leaves the state land hunter – the guy who has no other place to go – out in the cold, hunting on poor habitat (keep in mind DEC does no habitat work), probably in an area where private land around him in managed for QD and the deer are siphoned off the state tract.... You really want to grow big bucks? Go to a short, post-run season....something that would never fly in NY

Someone said, "Whats next, mandatory earn a buck?" That would be a GREAT solution in areas that need to issue DMPs. I think earn-a-buck or a buck tag lottery or combination would be a much better solution than ARs. I know some will complain about how many hunters would certainly quit if they cant buy a tag to shoot a buck. But we need to remember that our herd supply and our opportunities out there do not always meet the demand, no matter how much someone has to pay for their license we cant guarantee them a buck. And what about hunters dropping out now because they pay for their license year after yr and dont even see a buck. Reducing buck take would put more bucks out there creating a better herd and more action packed hunting and more satisfied hunters. By the way, I think that the doe license in earn-a-buck or any DMP needs to be for a doe only. If a button buck is taken it should eliminate the issuing of a buck tag, or be used to fill a buck tag for that hunter.

This forum has fueled my fire. I am looking foward to attending the next NYSDEC open forum in my area.

I have done pretty good, But hunting on my own land you cant manage a small piece. Management can only be done if everyone gets together and let some deer grow. But what happens is shoot the first thing you see. So they put these restrictions in play and they seem like they are working in my area. For owning a small lot I have seen some nice bucks cruising, I would be nice for all to appreciate a big buck walking within sight weather or not u shoot for meat or bone or just the joy of hunting.

I am not in favor of AR but I am in favor of some type of QDM. Let me make this clear for everyone - the dumbest and easiest deer to kill in the woods is a 1 1/2 yr old buck. I am in favor of a one buck per person per year you pick. personally I feel it is a crime for a hunter to be able to shoot 2, 1 1/2 year old bucks a year if you need the meat that bad the DEC doles out a ton of doe permitts- use them or borrow your buddies. The current system is definatley BROKE. Our gun season is too long and the season bag limits too liberal. One other question when did trophy hunting become a bad phrase? If we all passed up the small ones we all could enjoy shooting bigger bucks and let me tell you if you think they are too tough or strong tasting to eat your cooking the meat wrong.

AR does not serve the interests of the majority of hunters in NY. Implementation of AR state wide along with license fee increases will further deplete hunter numbers within the state. Whats next, mandatory earn a buck? It never ends,leave the system alone.

I pass on young bucks by choice. If others dont want to pass on them then they shouldnt. What happened to this being a free country? I find more and more that states are putting every restriction they can think of on us.

Hey NY - let the hunters decide what size buck they want to shoot! Is nothing sacred anymore?!

Fairgame, the problem with your statement is that for the majority of meat hunters deer sightings these days are few and far between. Gone are the days of selectively killing deer and thus the majority of hunters will not pass up the oportunity to kill a deer. Its a personal choice thses days. I believe if you want to kill a big deer (they do exist)you need to put your time in and concentrate in becoming a better hunter.

i would like to see antler restrictions across the state thats just me. us as hunters are not use to change,maybe if we hunted the units that are under the restrition program then maybe we could see what dec is trying to do with the age and deer herd.where i hunt i dont see the bucks like use to see because everybody shoots the first legal buck that walks by,but we are the first to complain that deer herd in are units are down,and i know some of us say that it will not work,dec is not going to tell me what type of buck i can shoot if i paying $98.00 dallors for a liscence.if a spike horn has to have 3 inches of antler on one side to shoot then whats the difference then a buck needs 3 points on one side to harvist.some of you might agree with me and some may not, but thats just my opion.

I believe that NYS should have had AR years ago. The more does that are harvested and the passing of 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old bucks not only will give you a more balanced deer herd but it will also establish a pecking order within the deer herd among bucks. This will relieve the stress on bucks that are breading anywhere between 10-15 does a year (granted there is no well balanced buck to doe ratio on propertys in NY ) to 1-5, which will decrease winter kill. All in all, antler restrictions not only benefit the trophy hunter, but all hunters. If you want meat, pile up the does and let the small bucks pass for later years. Deer management not only benefits deer, but benefits all wildlife. We need to be good stewards of what we have, and pass it on to generations to come.

Antler restrictions are working in the area I hunt. I BELIEVE it is a great thing for the deer herd and also for the hunter who is looking for that older buck or that nice trophy to hang on their wall instead of going to another state to do it. Does it mean you cant meat hunt? NO there are plenty of does to shoot out there. You just have to be careful on what you shoot. If you cant eat horns then dont shoot them. Let them live for another hunter to appreciate.

Its deer hunting and not trophy hunting!

As stated in another post the first thing that needs to take place is a revamp of the NZ, SZ and wmus. Hard to sell ARs to folks that see a deer a week.

I totally back ARS. It is not healthy for so many bucks to be "harvested" so early. This is an old school mentality that needs to be adjusted to modern times. Why blast a 110 pound 4 point and throw its rack in the back yard? If youre in it for meat- shoot does. Most states have something in place and the hunters love it. Most PA guys are thrilled. It would also increase safety due to greater focus on the animal.Shooting a 1.5yo or younger buck is not a challange or a benefit to the herd. Lets get with the times and enrich the hunting experience.

Should antler restrictions be adopted statewide,one would have to expect that in order for the DEC to maintain current deer harvest quotas; seasonal changes to the length of deer seasons would have to be considered in addition to the implementation of "gimmick seasons". Antler restrictions increase deer populations,habitat destruction.and hunter dissatisfaction. As the state of the deer heard in NY is in question by many, the introduction of AR without additional harvesting of antlerless deer via additional nuisance and management permits would be for naught. Habitat improvements with sound deer management practices are the first steps in improving the quality of deer hunting in NY.

AR is something that trophy hunters want. I do not like AR and will always petition against it. I have hunted PA my whole life and see fewer deer and smaller bucks. I have not seen a difference in the 7 years that PA has had the AR. Because guys are still going to shoot smaller bucks and leave them lay if they see that they are not legal.

I am tired of hearing guys say that if you want meat shoot a doe. There are times when the only deer I saw all season was a small buck and with the AR i cant shoot it and cant put meat in the freezer.

So if you want AR practice it on your on land and dont make everybody practice AR.

Its not about the size of the buck that you shoot it is the time of being outdoors and taking a buck no matter what the size.

I think this is a great idea and they should make it state wide. I also think it would help a lot if they did away with the early / late doe seasons that allow every one and their brother to shoot a few does every year.

The people slaughtering deer with there nuisance permits and leaving them in ditched and the DEC lack of over site on this matter are ruining hunting state wide. Write the DEC and voice your complaints load and often

How do you go about petitioning an antler restriction? I live and hunt in 9r and pass most bucks I see. I watch the local camps off a large state forest take all these small bucks year after year. One particular camp this year hung for bucks, the largest was a 3 point. Very sad!

did you see that espn.com used this site for a piece on ar in ny?

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/hunting/news/story?id=3700087

I've been passing up smaller bucks for years. Just waiting for antler restrictions to go state wide! We have the genetics and the food, now we just need age. Not only to increase the chance of harvesting a mature buck, but the thrill of seeing more.

All NY hunters can harvest does for meat. Ever hear of archery or muzzleloading tags! I harvested two does last year and ate my DMP.

i think huters should be educated as to what a 1 and a half year old deer looks like as compared to a 2 and a half or 3 na d a half year old deer.Two many hunters just shoot the first thing that comes along. We need to let thyem grow a few years and we will be shooting bigger and better bucks

Sad but true, A/R's aren't about you and I, it's about the $'s generated from the sport. The fact is hunting has developed into a multibillion dollar industry and this State is going to do whatever it can to get its fair share of the market. There is no question that antler restrictions will improve the quality of bucks, just look at the midwestern state's success. Improving the trophies will attract more attention and out-of-state hunters which means more $'s. It's a matter of time before NY adopts the A/R's across the state because that is the fast track to becoming known for outstanding whitetail buck hunting. The state invests and improves outdoor recreational sports with one goal in mind, to increase tourism. So get ready, A/R's are coming. That being said, I am all for A/R's. Who doesn't dream about shooting a trophy buck every season? Any avid hunter that says the thought never crosses their mind is lying. We all could have the opportunity to kill a trophy with A/R's enacted. I'd like to say that I am not a trophy hunter and that I hunt because I enjoy the camaraderie and my family enjoys venison, but the fact is, once hunting season starts, all I can think about is seeing a monster in my scope!

Well at one time it was that way.If you filled your buck tag with a bow, then you did not have a Gun Tag for a Buck if I remember correct (I could be wrong on this).But then I thin you are correct you could have used a doe tag for a buck (but you where limited to the WMA).Maybe it is areas that I hunt, as I really never have a problem of seeing deer or bucks.But what has changed it my way of hunting.Some of my best stands are now closer to houses or roads.I have not seen a decline in deer, just that the deer have moved to locations that can not be hunted.Here is a example of what I mean about deer knowing there safe heavens.Opening night of bow seasons I have a 4 acre vineyard next to house that my dad owns.The vineyard is located right on 414 within 20 feet of the road it starts.About 1/4 mile south of there is bout 200 + acres of land that can not be hunted.I watched 25 plus deer in a group just before dark opening night of bow season come from the private land across a open field waiting in the open field till just about dark then move to the vineyards to feed.I have spotted light the vineyard at night just to see and have seen upwards of 30-40 deer bucks and does in the vineyard.The deer have adapted over time and have learned where they are safe and where they are not.Just for fun 3 years ago I had a small food plot I put in behind my house maybe 20 yards wide and 70 yards long, again this is located with 100 yards of 414.There is a cottage road the runs next to it, and one day the neighbor stopped to tell me at 5am in the morning he had to stop and wait for the deer to cross the cottage rd heading back south to that private land that can not be hunted (he count over 40 deer in my food plot field).The deer are out there they just need to have some reason to leave their safe heaven, not just in the rut.This year I had a very nice 8pt buck lying 80 yards from my front yard across the main 414 road.He was laying 20 yards from my neighbors birder feeders and house, 20 yards off of 414.And layed there all day.Why because he knew he was safe.All this buck had to do was walk 30 yards (across the rd) and he would be in my dads vineyard and there was his food, the grapes that where left over.I have hunted some local state parks in my area and some of my best stands for seeing and killing deer where with in 100 yards of less of the main rds.I also am luck as we have almost 15,000 acres of The Finger Lakes National Forest here to hunt which I hunt only deer gun seasons pretty much.Most people thing they can put a stand up and kill a deer.Maybe 20 years ago you could, but deer have developed and changed over the years and hunters have not.

Well Hectorbuckbuster I am not a trophy hunter and never will be. With that said, I along with most deer hunters have dreams of shooting monster bucks. I also know this will not happen if we shoot the young bucks. I am almost fifty and I have shot my share of deer including two bucks in the 150's over the years. If we New Yorkers continue to work in such a way to improve our deer hunting and improve our chances of getting bigger bucks how can anyone be against it. Do you remember back when bucks were no longer permitted to be put on a doe tag.I remember alot of hunters were quite upset. Since that has happened the number of bucks entered into New York State record book has increased substantially. I feel that was a good move. About 10,000 less bucks sre being killed yearly by that one change alone. I always fill my doe tags and always have meat in the freezer. Just less of that meat now is from small bucks. Would you be in favor of a one buck limit per year with no antler restriction? That would be a solution.

Well it seems to me that the 2007 seasons has produced 1 or 2 record bucks in NYS as I seen them posted on this site.So what is the state doing wrong if we have 2 possible new state records.There are alot of hunters that the rack does not matter as long has it has legal horns.If we had a shortage of deer then fine I would support a antler restriction (till the deer population rebounded), but just to have a restriction to please a small percentage of hunters (so they can get a trophey)when their is no shortage of deer is not right.

Hectorbuckbuster- You are right, to a true hunter, ANY animal is a trophy, i still have my spike i shot my 1st year on the wall- and i have shot younger bucks in recent years but if you have a little patience and maybe go a year or two without shootin those spikes, chances are you will be shootin 8-10 points instead of spikes and forkhorns, i dont want to go a year without shootin a deer either but i'd do it if i knew everybody else was. I am VERY fortunate and get to hunt the midwest most novembers and i have HUGE success there but they do it right out there. We could have that too with a year or two of holding off on the little ones. No shame in shootin em', but it could be better here if we let em walk.

So Dave you want to discriminate against hunters because of there age?Again you are just focused on TROPHY HUNTING which is fine, but it should not be FORCED on other hunters.This is the United States and we still have a few freedoms, but they are getting less by the day.I was just has happy when I shot a 5pt with my bow this year and a 13 pt with my gun.Is was the memories and the enjoyment of the Hunt.

This is a great post Below

I have been reading the comments on antler restictions on this site for a little over a year now and I can't take it anymore! All I keep reading from you TROPHY hunters is that I should not shoot anything less than a six or eight point buck. I can't tell you how many times I have read the following: "You meat hunters should just shoot a doe."
Well I've got news for you guys, some of us can only hunt in areas where you cannot get a doe permit! So until DEC allows every hunter to shoot a doe, some of us will continue to shoot spikes. To some people every deer harvested is a TROPHY

I just received my North American Whitetail Magizine. Antler restriction does work. Pennsylvania now ranks 13th for B&C and 7th for P&Y entries per square mile. Who would have thought a few years back that this would be the case. Before Pennsylvania implemented the antler restrictions the same arguments were being made that New Yorkers are now making. I do feel though that hunters younger than 18 or senior hunters should be exempt from antler restrictions.

I have been reading the comments on antler restictions on this site for a little over a year now and I can't take it anymore! All I keep reading from you TROPHY hunters is that I should not shoot anything less than a six or eight point buck. I can't tell you how many times I have read the following: "You meat hunters should just shoot a doe."
Well I've got news for you guys, some of us can only hunt in areas where you cannot get a doe permit! So until DEC allows every hunter to shoot a doe, some of us will continue to shoot spikes. To some people every deer harvested is a TROPHY!

This is where hunting is going wrong.Hunting is not about rack size.Hunting is about getting out and enjoying the outdoors.The state does not owe you a trophey deer.You can do this yourself if you impose your own antler restriction in the area you hunt.Their are trophey bucks out there, you just need to work and find them.I have seen lots of big bucks and I do not practice antler management.I have been hunting since I was 14 and now 37.I have been very lucky and taken several 130-160 class deer in hunting area without antler management.I do not use expensive scent loc suits, and every other gadget out there, that says this will get you that big buck.You first need a area with good deer genes, then you need to beable to spend time in the woods and earn that trophey.You want a 200+ class deer, you can buy a hunt inside a fence for Thousands of dollars.Hunting is about enjoying what your are doing not about how big the animal is.

Having hunted PA for the last 20 plus years, and pretty much abandoned NY with the exception of the Adirondack Region,I have witnessed what this 3 point system can achieve; and that is quality bucks. At first, my hunting camp members were apprehensive to embrace this concept that the PA Game Commission was selling, but after about 5 years into the program we saw results! With the increase in doe tags that PA was selling, which accomplished a reduction in the doe herd,and good ratio in our area. We started to see quality three to four year old bucks. I'll be the first to admit, that I don't see as many deer as I used to, but the ones I do see are nice. Thus, giving me an opportunity to be selective on how big they should be, before I shoot.
I welcome this approach that New York has taken in selecting an area as a pilot program before expanding to other areas. But, I question how long it will take them to go statewide, and if the DEC is satisfied with their results thus far. But I guess the real question is, will New York Hunters welcome it and get away from "If it's brown it's down" mentality, in order to allow quality deer management to thrive in New York!

For those people who want to shoot a deer for meat then shoot a doe. Antler restriction isn't going decrease hunter numbers it's going too increase numbers. First more bucks are going to make it through the season which will increase the number of bucks which will make for more exciting hunting, which means more veteran hunters continuing to hunt and more kids wanting to hunt. Second a lot of people travel to the midwest or even pa for quality hunting. If this state would practice better management skills a lot more people would travel here to hunt. I don't understand what a veteran hunter who has killed many deer gets out of shooting a spike or four point, shoot a doe let the small bucks walk. To shoot a spike or forkhorn just to say you shot a buck is pathetic.

If you want to lose more hunters then put in Antler restrictions.I know alot of people that hunt to put meat in the freezer, because they are just getting by.If you want trophy deer then manage the area you hunt if possible.I enjoy hunting, if I happen to beable to take a nice buck great, but sometimes just taking a little spike or 4 point is just as enjoyable to hunt.Some people do not have the time to beable to hunt every single day and pick and choose what deer they want to shot.I being a sportsman paying already $70 + dollars for a license, should be able to take a buck even if he only has 3" horns.I am lucky because I get to hunt alot, but some years luck has not been with me for that 3 or 4 points on oneside, and that little fork horn that I just shot, sometimes times is the most enjoyable hunt to some.

Not only will antler restrictions improve the quality of bucks, but I think it will also improve the quality of hunting. No longer will (so called) hunters be able to unload their guns at the first buck they see (usually running across an open field) in fear of shooting an illegal buck. Hunters will have to be sure of their target before pulling the trigger which will eliminate the point and blast tactics that wound so many bucks each season. I have seen a big difference in PA hunting, I hope NY makes the change as well.

Try this(like anyone would listen)Have a year with no bucks taken-except by Jr. and Sr hunters, one doe per season, gun and bow (buck-doe ratio is bad anyway) then 4pt per side for bucks after that (with the exception of jr and sr hunters.) Within 5 yrs, people who rarely saw deer will be seeing, and some even killing mature bucks. Gauranteed- you can take an inexperienced hunter and put him in an average woods in illinois and he WILL se many deer and prob. some big bucks! The mgmt there is amazing and most wont believe it til they see it, i have seen it and it works, follow the lead of the states that succeed. Just a suggestion.

Antler restrictions WILL work with people letting young bucks walk and thats the ONLY way. I'm for it but most can't let a 1-1\2 or 2 1\2 year old walk if it has enough points. I dont have a perfect solution but something HAS TO BE DONE. Shorter shotgun WILL help.

In Pennsylvania, they have a mainly 3 points to a side, with a few counties in the western part having 4 points to a side. New York state, in areas, has far less hunting pressure than Pennsylvania does. Places here can be called a "pumpkin patch" because of so many orange emblazoned people sitting so close to one another. With 3 points to a side, the average buck is your basic 1 1/2 year old 6 point. Trophy bucks are way older than 1 1/2 years. People here take these year and a half old bucks by the troves, because "my chances of seeing another buck are slim to none". Antler restrictions have the right idea, but unless the sportsman in the field realize that these small bucks will grow into trophy bucks and let them pass, it's pointless. Wouldn't you be tired of shooting a small buck year after year? Although, any deer is a trophy including a nice, old doe. (hint hint)

If New York takes an example of Pennsylvania, EVERYONE has to be involved. An example of this would be opening day of rifle season here. Early on opening day I passed a tiny 1 1/2 year old legal 5 point (he has 3 points to a side), only to find out he had been shot by an older hunter(older being upper 40's) not 5 hours from when I had seen the buck. To add to it, his front leg had been shot off on the way to where he was harvested.

If you like seeing 50 deer a day, keep in mind harvesting more antlerless deer drops the herd number dramatically. BUT, the overall herd health will be improved. You will see far less deer, but the bucks that actually make it through to the next year will be bigger. When a trophy buck was harvested here in years prior to the new quality deer management program, you heard about it. Now, you hear from someone that a trophy buck was harvested, you can tell them the names of 3 others that were able to kill a trophy buck themselves. It's actually working. Many does you see now have twins and even triplets. People say there are no deer here, but if you spotlight for an hour covering maybe 10-15 miles of road, we see at least 120 deer in the fields alone. How many deer are in the woods we can't see?

All-in-all, the QDM program New York is pushing for does work, but everyone in the field has to be involved. You can't harvest young bucks year after year and expect trophy bucks to magically appear. Also, antlerless deer must also be harvested to maintain the buck-to-doe ratio and to maintain herd health and overall quality. Have you ever been unhappy with a season after you filled your antlerless tags, but didn't get a chance at a trophy buck? That big one could be a monster next year. I have pictures to prove it!

say no to antler restrictions unless you like to second guess yourself. if a deer has enough points or not its not easy to count points on a deer even a close range ask most pa hunters and they wish we never got a/r. it should be up the individual hunter as to what he/she wants to harvest if you dont want to shoot a spike then let it walk ill gladly take in a fair and ethical manner. next time you are in the woods try to count points and see how hard it is even at 30 yards how many deer have you shot that you did not know how many points it really had untill you walked up to it?

I think the southern zone should have antler restrictions. We need to take more doe out of the herd and let the small bucks muture. If you need to shoot something shoot a doe. We all go to the woods in hopes of shooting a trophy buck.

>> sorry but im confused alittle is a 4 pointer legal to >> take in new york now ? 2 on each side ?

If you are in an Antler Restriction area then no. But in most areas of NY - yes. Check the regs for your WMU at the New York DEC Website.

sorry but im confused alittle is a 4 pointer legal to take in new york now ? 2 on each side ?

how many of these states with antler restrictions let people shoot over feeders or food plots? It' easier to count points when a bucks feeding, and yes I hunt only state land and would like to see something done not only to grow bigger bucks but more deer in the adirondacks than 1 per square mile

3 pts on 1 side!!! The theory is good I suppose but what about genetics!! I have witnessed a small spike (1 1/2 yrs old, 3 inch spikes) live through the year and develop another pair of spikes that were about 8 inches lomg. Through this 3pts on one side theory this deer will live and possibly breed. Yet a 1 1/2 year old 6 pt gets shot, through time this senario will become more frequent. The long termed effect will be worse genetics ( as far as antler size goes). Therefore I do not see this program working.

i have hunted pa for over 30 years and killed a buck most every year until ar havent killed one since.if you need to kill something with big antlers go on safari.

At first I wasn't in favor of antler restriction, but the more I have read the more I think it maybe time for it.But I'll still worry that there will be deer left in the woods dead because their racks were to small.

I would love to see A/R in this state,for those of you who don't want it all I can say is look around at other states. Pa is close for me to hunt and because of there antler restrictions it has made me feel like hunting of the old days around here! It has really payed off so far for them,I see bucks all over and alot of 3 to 4 year olds coming out of that state. Take a survay of how many pa people buy our licences and how many ny people buy theres, and ask your self why so many ny people are hunting pa? I bet the tables are tilted to pa! Well thats ok ny does not need all that money there losing any way!

If everyone would just fill their tags and not their wife or grandmothers or whoever .The hunting and bucks would improve

Like most have said, reduce tag #'s and antler restrictions and reducing the # of days we gun hunt will work- BUT ONLY if the hunters are educated enough (or willing enough) to not shoot 1-1\2 or 2-1\2 year old bucks just because they are 3 or 4 on a side. I have been fortunate enough to hunt Illinois for a few years now and i have yet to go a day down there without seeing deer (i average about 14 per hour on stand)The last 2 days i saw more bucks than does. Ill. has two 3-day gun seasons and it is looked down upon to shoot small deer down there. Only when we make changes in our rules and attitudes will it ever change in NY- and this is FACT- not opinion. Good Hunting!

When me and my dad and buddys started hunting it was shoot what you had a shot at over the last few years we have put in food plots and managed the heard by shottin nothing less than a 6 and filling all our doe tags.. This has led to a great 07 bow season harvesting 3 9 pointers I monster half rack 8. If your going to shoot a small buck shoot a doe there are usually way to many does so bigger bucks dont have to search and theyll stay in the thick red brush

I am all for the antler restriction. The first few years might not be the best years to fill your tags for those of you who only spend a limited amount of time in the woods and are only there to fill your tag with a small buck or whatever comes by you but those few years will be worth it because it will raise your chances of getting nice wall hanger. I believe it is worth the wait to see more big bucks.

ok if there were to be an antler restriction i would rather see a 3 points or more on one side rather than 4. I am not in favor of an antler restriction given I only have limited time to hunt and do not have the time to put in the woods to scout the buck. So I like it the way it is so I can still bag my buck without having to count points and possibly giving up the good shot I may have on the deer.

I have hunted in 7 states and here the same things said in all 7. This will work or that will work..

Although the adirondacks have quality deer they lack numbers. At one deer per square mile, I don't believe AR are necessary. They need habitat management. The hunting is a unique experience, not a better one. The anonymous coment made on 10/27/07 is foolish. Having to search hundreds of square miles for a mature animal just proves that something needs to be done.

Your not seeing quality deer, because you walk 10 minutes from your truck or on the back of a four wheeler. Go up to the northern adirondacks and hunt the deep state land, if your willing to do some work and actually hunt they are there

I live in the northern part of NY we do not have a doe season like the southern tier unless you use blackpowder.I cannot afford to take time off to go down state to just fill a meat tag, so if I chose to fill my buck only tag with a spike horn that my right.But to be fair to everyone let the state regulate areas of state land to antler restrictions,cliton and essex counties have enough state land to do it and still leave areas open as is.

This is in response to Ed Rodger's comments on 12/11/06. The hunters, like myself, who are in favor of antler restrictions pay the same amount of money for their licenses so why should we have to pay more to hunt mature bucks out of state? If you want to speak on behalf of hunters, do it for all hunters, not just the ones who agree with you.

Totally in Favor. The rule should be three on one side as what most people don't realize is that a 1 1/2 year old deer can be a four or even six pointer. Therefore the 4 pointer idea is rediculous. What is the difference if you shoot a four point or a spike? Come on, we need to get smart and let all those small deer go. That is why the midwest is the place to be. Not many 6 or even 8 pointers are shot.

i am totally in favor of AR...have been trying to do it for years where i hunt,only to have others shoot anything they see...also,more hunters need to look for deer they shoot at...i have found several dead deer in the area i hunt...one was a nice wide 8 pointer...i actually backtracked the blood trail to ones ladder stand...either he was lazy or ignorant in the ways of tracking a wounded deer...either way,a fine animal went to waste...he had been dead for days when i found him on a hill side,almost visible from the ladder stand,no more than 150 yards away...

We have a land owner's association in central NY with about 1,400 acres. This is our 6th year practicing QDM. We use antler restrictions of 4 points on one side and a width beyond the ears. This has allowed us to protect our 1 1/2 year old bucks and some 2 1/2 year old bucks. We consistently see 130 inch bucks and some 140-150. The last three years bucks in the 120 's and 130's have been taken.
Antler restictions with hunter education works !!

Most people who are not in favor of antler restrictions are afraid they might not shoot a buck this year. Shoot a doe! That 1 1/2 old deer will be bigger next year. Although maybe a little harder to hunt. That 2 1/2 year buck might outsmart you and he'll be bigger the next year. I'm not a trophy hunter but I let the 1 1/2 old buck walk. It's nice to harvest a deer even with a basket rack. They are bigger in body and my freezer likes that.

I hope the antler restrictions are implemented thoughout New york and pennsylvania. Im getting into my second year of antler restrictions in New york (3H), and I cant wait for this hunting season. Hope to finally see older deer, just like Ive seen in wayne county pennsylvania.

I recently moved to PA from NY. I purchased a lifetime sportsman tag before I moved so I can continue to hunt and fish in NY with my family and friends. Since my move I have become friends with several PA hunters. When asked about the antler laws they told me they did not like the idea at first. Most of them went deerless the first season because doe tags are hard to come by in this area, and no one was seeing bucks with enough points. However this year they all are jumping for joy at the bucks they are seeing. They hunt on both private and on public land and are seeing big racked deer in both. I am in favor of adding antler restrictions in NY. Sure the first year or two might be thin and it will be hard to turn up that 4 or 5 point on the last weekend of the season, but I have to let you guys and gals know. It WILL be worth it.

I am completely in favor of antler restrictions. I know of many places in the state where hunters will shoot anything that moves. I have let 4 pointers and six pointers go many times in my hunting career only to find that they have been taken either out of season, at night, or legally the next year by a drive hunter.
We need doe only seasons or earn a buck seasons. It works in other states, it will work here.
The old time "shoot all the bucks" mentality is lacking in intelligence and care of the ecosystem. That type of thinking is what almost eliminated the buffalo and bald eagle.
We have grown in this information age and our hunting habits should grow with out knowledge.
Testosterone and beer people need to grow with the rest of the us who want quality hunting in New York. Put aside those old ways and think differently.
Every other state like Texas and Iowa and Illinois do it, why now New York, and then maybe people like Will Primos will make videos here, where we are so proud of New York.
1. Doe only
2. 4 points to a side
3. No being in the woods without a valid license during deer season.

I am 100% in favor of AR. I would love to see 4 points to a side rule. I'm tired of letting small buck after small buck walk only to have a neighbor kill him. On top of that, they will pass up 10-15 does a night because they have this false belief that if they kill a buck, it measures their hunting skills. So what happens too often? You hear of guys killing 4-5 bucks a year, all yearlings, because they "need meat and/or if they don't shoot him someone else will." How greedy is that? It's time this tag swapping ends and as sportsmen responsible for managing the herd, act as true sportsmen and become more educated on deer biology and not just have "what's in it for me" mentality and shoot everything in sight. They have size requirements in fishing, let's have it in deer hunting. Many other states are doing it and approval rating is high, it's time for NY. On another note, the guys who say they "never see deer" are the ones who never take scent seriously and never play the wind, no wonder the only bucks they see are 120lb spike horns. I'm tired of it. You want to shoot a small buck, fine, do it outside of NY. Also, get educated and understand the difference between traditonal hunting, management hunting, and trophy hunting instead of lumping them all together.

I just had an opportunity to read Ed Rogers comments. If he is not a trophy hunter and is only looking for meat, why doesn't he just shoot a doe. We will never have quality deer hunting as long as people like him continue to think the way he does!!!!

I am a property owner in Allegany County, and have been frustrated over the years, because I try to let young bucks go, only to have my neighbors shoot them. I have now resorted to shooting the young ones also, since I want to enjoy hunting too. However, I would be 100% supportive of an antler restriction program in my area (9P), and the whole state for that matter. I believe that this is the only way to provide opportunities for more trophy bucks in the future.

yes, lets give it a try. I would hope the areas would be expanded as this is a step in the right direction. this is not for "trophy hunters" but will make the hunting experience better for even the people who doubt it now. lets hear some feedback from Pa. and NYS areas this year and next.

I think this program stinks! It was implemented without input from hunters or just a small percentage.To me a trophy buck is any buck that you harvest was never a "trophy hunter",entering bucks into contests to show every one what a great hunter I am.People pay hard earned dollars for their liscence and should be allowed to harvest a buck according to the old standards.You want a big buck,pay for a trip to a managed ranch in the south,west,canada,etc.