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New York State Antler Restriction Project
The New York Antler Restriction project now exists in 4 Wildlife Management Units in the Southern Catskills. Any buck taken must have 3 antlers on one side and each point much be at least on inch long. The restriction applies to all deer seasons for all hunters who are 17 years of age or older.

The Specific WMUs that have antler restriction at this time are 3C, 3H, 3J and 3K
For more information on the pilot antler restrictions project please visit the New York State DEC Website - NYS DEC Pilot Antler Restriction Project

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big paul 4p - 3/29/2008 11:52:52 AM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By big paul
Replies to big paul
little ringo - 4/16/2008 12:51:39 PM
big paul,

Can I borrow your bow and muzzleloader?
kirk - 2/20/2008 7:25:13 PM
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
Reply to Comments Posted By kirk
Anonymous - 1/25/2008 1:52:51 PM
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!
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
HectorBuckBuster - 1/25/2008 7:38:29 AM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By HectorBuckBuster
Dave Monroe County - 1/24/2008 10:57:37 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Dave
HectorBuckBuster - 1/24/2008 8:40:53 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By HectorBuckBuster
KEN - 1/24/2008 4:10:18 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By KEN
HectorBuckBuster - 1/24/2008 12:40:10 PM
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
Reply to Comments Posted By HectorBuckBuster
Dave Monroe County - 1/24/2008 11:28:59 AM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Dave
anonymous - 1/24/2008 8:22:34 AM
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!
Reply to Comments Posted By anonymous
HectorBuckBuster Hector - 1/24/2008 8:18:08 AM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By HectorBuckBuster
anonymous - 1/23/2008 10:03:11 PM
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!
Reply to Comments Posted By anonymous
keith niagara - 1/23/2008 5:59:58 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By keith
HectorBusckBuster - 1/23/2008 3:49:48 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By HectorBusckBuster
Anonymous - 1/23/2008 1:04:08 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Anonymous - 1/4/2008 1:14:50 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
ken CHAUTAUQUA - 12/20/2007 10:51:11 AM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By ken
Cody Buehler - 12/2/2007 4:48:24 PM
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!
Reply to Comments Posted By Cody Buehler
mike Galeton Pa - 12/2/2007 2:35:15 PM
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?
Reply to Comments Posted By mike
Greg Parker - 11/30/2007 2:01:26 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Greg Parker
TheEmperor Hemlock, NY - 11/30/2007 1:03:13 AM
>> 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.
Reply to Comments Posted By TheEmperor
Anonymous - 11/29/2007 11:37:33 PM
sorry but im confused alittle is a 4 pointer legal to take in new york now ? 2 on each side ?
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Anonymous - 11/29/2007 6:51:21 PM
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
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Joshua Casper - 11/28/2007 3:04:47 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Joshua Casper
Anonymous - 11/28/2007 12:05:38 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Darren Drake - 11/28/2007 2:33:54 AM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Darren Drake
ny hunter Broome county - 11/25/2007 7:00:46 PM
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!
Reply to Comments Posted By ny hunter
Rich - 11/25/2007 6:25:44 PM
If everyone would just fill their tags and not their wife or grandmothers or whoever .The hunting and bucks would improve
Reply to Comments Posted By Rich
KEN chautauqua - 11/22/2007 11:28:37 AM
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!
Reply to Comments Posted By KEN
Anonymous - 11/12/2007 4:15:21 PM
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
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
jason 9h - 11/9/2007 7:12:14 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By jason
Anonymous - 11/9/2007 2:31:11 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Robert Montgomery Ransomville - 11/3/2007 4:16:58 PM
I have hunted in 7 states and here the same things said in all 7. This will work or that will work..
Reply to Comments Posted By Robert Montgomery
Anonymous - 10/29/2007 3:16:49 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Anonymous - 10/27/2007 1:07:36 PM
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
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Anonymous - 10/27/2007 10:48:41 AM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Rob - 10/24/2007 11:09:51 AM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Rob
Joe Greco - 10/23/2007 5:03:25 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Joe Greco
buckmaster chautauqua co. - 10/19/2007 6:05:43 AM
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...
Reply to Comments Posted By buckmaster
John - 10/15/2007 11:28:26 AM
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 !!
Reply to Comments Posted By John
Anonymous - 10/4/2007 9:55:55 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Anonymous - 3/31/2007 1:43:02 AM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Anonymous
Marco James - 3/12/2007 2:00:00 PM
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.
Reply to Comments Posted By Marco James