NEW York will not expand its antler restriction program after hearing hunters’ comments on the subject.
You may recall that in April, the Department of Environmental Conservation proposed a regulation change that would have expanded the existing antler restriction program to include eight additional wildlife management units (WMUs) in the northern and western Catskills.
During the required 45-day public comment period, the state received many comments both in favor and opposed to the proposal.
Hunters opposing the change said what many have been saying for years, “that you can’t eat antlers” and are more interested in hunting for meat for the table.
They are concerned that antler restrictions decreased harvest opportunity and also expressed frustration with a loss of freedom to select the type of buck they want to harvest. There also is concern that the penalties for mistakenly shooting a deer with too few antler points include a potential misdemeanor criminal charge.
Hunters supporting the proposal said they are interested in taking older, larger deer and contended that this program will enhance deer management in New York, including economic and social benefits associated with the excitement of seeing and taking bigger bucks.
They also believe that antler restrictions will help create a healthier deer herd.
In the end, the DEC biologists felt there was no specific management benefit associated with the antler restriction program and do not consider antler restrictions as necessary to improve herd condition and that antler restriction is more an issue of hunter preference.
DEC biologists also added that there is no biological urgency to implement a mandatory antler restriction program in the proposed deer management units, and hunters who wish to adopt an antler restriction policy or practice may already do so on a voluntary basis.
The decision not to expand the program does not affect the existing antler restriction program in WMUs 3C, 3H, 3J, and 3K.
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Anyone interested in taking a bow-hunter education course, there is one being offered in Westchester over three days: July 20 and 22 from 7-10:30 p.m. and July 25 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The location is Cougar Sports, at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale. Call (914) 693-8877 for info and registration.