They say that they are going to do another “formal survey” to assess hunter preferences for potential strategies to alter buck harvest.
I say the DEC is mired down in a “prevent offense” tact that is typical of a large bureaucracy. Instead of stepping up and forward they went one back and two to the left! We went through this same trial and tribulation in regard to antler restrictions just one year ago. The DEC did a survey to which they set the parameters. By all accounts (including there own) antler restrictions were acceptable to 67% of those surveyed. Then, after pressure from only two county sportsmen’s federations, one of which was way outside the targeted implementation area. They reneged on their own criterion. Now, they want to look at it again. THEY are fishing! They say that there may be other management initiatives to be considered. I say, “stop the nonsense!” Have we learned nothing from our neighboring state Pennsylvania? Several years ago Pennsylvania was desperate for a management plan to help solve their burgeoning population problem. The PGC under the direction of Dr. Gary Alt told hunters across the state that “Antler Restrictions” along with doe and habitat management would not only rectify the problem, but that hunting could once again become a prideful commodity to the state and the hunting community.
It worked, and Pennsylvania has become a heralded model in the conservation community. New York also has a golden opportunity to exceed the model. Let me explain. Pennsylvania hunters had antler restrictions shoved down their proverbial throats. Residents strongly resented this intrusion into their hunting routines. It took several years for the residents of Pennsylvania’s hunting community to realize the benefits of the plan. New York, on the other hand had initiated a pilot program in two Wildlife Management Units (2005). The following year they expanded the program to two more units. The plan has become so popular that many more units requested to have it initiated in their counties. Representatives of those counties have stood before the NYS Conservation Council screaming for the council to posture to have the pilot expanded to their areas. The DEC originally (early 2009) decided that since there were NO biological reasons NOT to implement and expand the program, that it would survey and satiate a majority of hunters. In the Fall of 2009 they held “deer” meetings and again surveyed hunters about their concerns. At all of the meetings antler restrictions were a main topic of concern. Now, they want another survey again in early 2010. On, and on, and on again, treading water against the tide of time. WRONG! The precedent had already been set for institution and initiation. The gradual implementation in the 8 new WMU’s was the next natural step forward. Instead, they have once again opened the door to criticism by their trepidations and malaise, and have further alienated dedicated sportsmen and women.
The NYSDEC has had the benefit of seeing how Pennsylvania hunters have gradually embraced their plan. They laid the groundwork for a successful inception of our own plan and now they are shuffling their feet to the tune of “As Time Goes By”. In the scope of deer management we should have already moved on to insuring better habitat management. When will they wake up?
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It is interesting that some of the younger people in the DEC such as Jeremy Hurst, are allienating tha deer hunters and sportsmen of NYS by poor dissision making. Is this the way that they think they will promote themselves in the DEc by fighting who they should be working for? I think they will find out that they are going to have a very long hard 20 years ahead of them, or a very short term.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that they will ever wakeup.
ReplyDeleteHunting NY high pressure long seasons and multiple tags with high tech equipment is a joke to management. the system doesn't work to control growing deer popultions it doesn't work to balance biodiversity it doesn't balance sex ratios. DEC creates hunting opportunity they are not in the business of managing our wildlife resources. the taxpayer could save some money by sending the foresters and biologists home and letting politicians run that circus.