ARs the New Fad

What Should Hunters Expect with An Antler Restriction Program?
 Although programs using antler restrictions may have several effects on a deer herd, people should have realistic expectations on what they may see accomplished. Some changes will be obvious and others, if they occur, may be subtle and difficult to note in the field.
 
 Buck Numbers, Size and Age
 
 More young bucks surviving the hunting season and into the older age classes.
 Higher overall buck numbers at the start of subsequent hunting seasons.
 A large portion of each Fall's buck population would be young bucks that do not meet the minimum harvest criteria and therefore could not be harvested.
 The extent of the age and size that some bucks obtain will depend on habitat quality and the specifics of the antler restriction program.
 Breeding Behavior and Success
 
 New York's deer population has demonstrated rapid growth potential and shows no evidence of compromised breeding success. No significant change in herd productivity should be expected.
 More bucks, including older bucks, may increase competition for breeding opportunities between bucks and may increase the intensity of the rut.
 The timing of the rut is largely tied to seasonal changes (day length) so dramatic changes in breeding timing or success should not be expected with an antler restriction.
 Harvest Prospects
 
 The population management goal for an area would not change, but herd composition and harvest opportunity would change.
 Implementation of antler restrictions results in an initial period of significantly reduced buck harvest and somewhat lower buck harvest potential for the long term.
 Hunters must be more selective and a portion of the bucks they see will have to be passed up.
 

ORIGINAL: MuskyMastr

I think the PGC is headed back to a more hunter centered train of thought, maybe not completley, but they are at least listening and that is a step in the right direction, over what we have had for the past ten years.

Yep just like you said though it is a step backwards instead of forward. At sometime a future Commission will again have to take two steps forward to make up for this yet again backwards movement

ORIGINAL: S-10

Looks a bit different now doesn't it. Why do you keep trying to mislead and decieve us RSB? It may be fun to do around the water cooler but you are supposed to be the PGC rep and it's just confirming what some of us have suspected about the honesty of the agency at the present time.

BTW,apparently you forgot about this data that you posted,that clearly shows how the high antlerless harvests in the late 80s and early 90s reduced the OWDD which resulted in a decrease in the buck harvest from the record highs of over 4 buck PSM.
quote:

[Here is what the PGC has done to the herd in 2G.


Year…….Allocation…………ant’less harvest………..buck harvest…….license/harvest
85………..10.23………………….3.27………………….2.98……………..3.12
86………..13.16………………….3.18………………….4.11……………..4.14
87………..15.42………………….3.85………………….4.20……………..4.00
88………..17.43………………….5.88………………….4.18……………..2.97
89………..18.00………………….5.62………………….3.72……………..3.20
90………..17.38………………….5.00………………….3.02……………..3.47
91………..13.63………………….3.52………………….2.65……………..3.88
92…………6.99………………….1.96………………….2.95……………..3.57
93…………7.16………………….2.31………………….2.84……………..3.10
94…………9.02………………….3.16………………….2.99……………..2.85
95…………9.02………………….3.66………………….3.01……………..2.47
96………..10.20………………….2.38………………….2.28……………..4.29
97…………6.00………………….2.34………………….2.81……………..2.56
98…………7.65………………….2.03………………….2.63……………..3.76
99…………7.65………………….1.86………………….3.13……………..4.11
00…………7.20………………….2.65………………….2.96……………..2.72
01…………8.22………………….2.67………………….2.82……………..3.08
02………..12.90………………….4.18………………….2.42 *…………...3.09
03………..12.64………………….4.95………………….2.46……………..2.55
04………..12.64………………….2.58………………….1.60……………..4.91
05…………7.05………………….1.51………………….1.22……………..4.68
06…………4.62………………….1.12………………….1.75……………..4.13
07…………6.32………………….1.60………………….1.24……………..3.94
08…………6.32………………….2.21………………….1.63……………..2.86
09…………6.32………………….1.02………………….1.26……………..6.19
10…………3.70………………….0.88………………….1.65……………..4.23

Note that the habitat in 2g that had been over browsed for over 30 years produced a buck harvest rate of over 4 buck PSM from from 1986 to 1988. The new and improved DMP decreased the buck harvest from 3.13 BPSM in 1999 to 1.26 BPSM in 2009./quote]

ORIGINAL: World Famous

Numbers are wonderful things. One can make them show all kinds of scenerios. Looking objectivly at the numbers and useing them in all lights; ah , now thats the trick. Its easier to close ones eyes and call someone an idiot.....WF