By Jack McShane
Tremperskill Hunting and Fishing Club
Tremperskill Hunting and Fishing Club
For deer hunters there now stands a rule that for a buck to be legally shot it must have one antler at least 3″ long. Supporting antler restrictions will change this rule so that to be legal a buck must have one antler with at least 3 points. This long overdue rule change will enhance deer hunting for all these common sense reasons, and a lot more:
- Safety. Hunters will pay closer attention to IDing their target.
- Antler restrictions (AR) will result in a more natural balance to the age and sex structure of the deer herd.
- Eventually the result will be a greater portion of the buck harvest being 2 ½ years old or more; older deer put considerably more meat on the table.
- Deer hunter numbers have been declining at an alarming rate since the 1980’s. The DEC considers hunting its only management tool to control the deer population, AR will result in recruitment and retention of hunters.
- The implementation of this rule in Pennsylvania has been a great success resulting in many going there to hunt where there is a greater chance of harvesting an older age buck that they sometimes have mounted by a taxidermist.
- A very important aspect of this rule change is that it will NOT affect hunters under the age of 17 who can still harvest bucks with one 3″ antler.
- The current standard for a legal buck is based upon an old tradition, not current science.
Please send a support letter by May 15 to:
Jeremy Hurst
NYS DECA
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
Email; WildlifeRegs@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.