Friends have asked me, "Martin why haven't you written anything on your blog since September?" Well, since my last diatribe about the Department of Environmental Conservation, little or nothing has been reported, because little or nothing has been done! We wait, and wait, and wait and wait some more. It was last Spring that we were teased into believing that the DEC was going to prepare a comprehensive deer management plan for the future. The thought line, was to have the plan in progress when the state administration changed hands, believing that it would not be shelved going forward into the future if it had already begun. So, we waited some more! At the September New York State Conservation Council we were disappointed with the presentation of their overall perspective of deer management, because that synopsis contained no real detail going forward. Still waiting!I am tired of waiting! Hunters/Sportsmen/Conservationists should be outraged bye now. The outdoor writers across this state should be barking at the new governor and his appointed DEC minions to clearly define which direction deer conservation should be moving and those "leftovers" from the last inept team (of the DEC) should be sent packing or further encouraged into retirement. As I have stated several times before, they did NOTHING, but add confusion to the antler restriction equation. On one hand they spewed misinformation about the biological effects of antler restrictions and on the other hand, they begrudgingly recommended and espoused their obvious values on private land. In 2005, they initiated a pilot program in 2 Wildlife Management Units in 2006 2 more, and then when begged for expansion of the plan in other areas they kowtowed to selfish naysaying groups from the western portion of the state that had NOTHING to do with with the groups and areas that desperately needed and requested the antler restriction program; and it has NOT gone forward. In a semi-private discussion (late 2009), DEC Fish Wildlife & Marine Resources Director Patty Riexinger conveyed to myself and one other, that her failure to expand the program was her single largest regret through her tenure.
Over the last several years the NYSCC has added to the mass of antler restriction confusion. The council, who is the sportsmen's voice to conservation authorities, saw several poorly written resolutions proffered before its Big Game Committee. Some of them contained mixed messages with ulterior motives and they were poorly received as they confused those charged with deciphering them. Some of the resolutions were isolationist in nature and the council did not back them. The council concerns themselves with the organized, dues paying sportsmen that are listed on county federation membership rolls and pertinent groups that are registered and accepted by the council. Their membership pays them dues and they are expected to solely represent and posture their interests. There are more sportsmen in this state who are not represented by the council then actually belong or participate. Their opinions have been decisively shown to approve of antler restriction through polls and surveys, but their needs are only expressed through individual writings to the DEC, not as a collaborative group.
Now, I don't represent any sportsmen's group(s) per se, but I believe that if the deer in this state were polled, they would choose me over the NYSDEC & the NYSCC to represent their interests. Not being a recognized representative, I can't proffer a resolution to resolve the antler restriction matter, but I have taken the time to write one that I believe is comprehensive of the problem and surely represents the concerns of the deer, sportsmen and certainly meets the parameters needed for council backing. Hopefully, some group or federation will adopt my resolution, because without the backing of the council I fear the antler restriction issue will be drawn out for many more years to come.
ANTLER RESTRICTION IMPLEMENTATION RESOLUTION
WHEREAS: The NYS DEC recognizes the important role that antler restrictions can play in the overall health of the deer herd, but have neglected to further implement, posture, educate or proffer their importance to the general hunting public.
WHEREAS: A healthier deer herd should be the top priority to both the NYSCC and the NYSDEC.
WHEREAS: Antler restrictions have been proven scientifically to have a direct positive result on breeding patterns; adding age diversity and lessening the causation and effect of Winter mortality to all facets of the herd.
WHEREAS: Organized sportsmen seek to hunt healthier deer herds that include older, larger racked bucks.
WHEREAS: Under the current 3-inch legal antler statute we have been targeting almost every yearling buck for almost 100 years; as a result, we have created an abnormal herd, consisting of primarily older females, young males and a scarcity of adult males.
WHEREAS: Yearling bucks are physically capable of breeding, but they lack the maturity to produce enough hormonal attractants (pheromones) to facilitate a smooth breeding pattern.
WHEREAS: Yearling bucks normally have not attained enough physical status to retain the extra fat reserves needed during Winter months and an extended breeding season; therefore they too are susceptible to immediate Winter mortality.
WHEREAS: Annually, at least 62 % of buck harvests are comprised of yearling deer.
WHEREAS: A substantial number of hunters go outside this state and country to hunt older, healthier, larger bodied racked male deer; culminating in a more intense and satisfying hunting experience.
WHEREAS: Organized and educated sportsmen have shown (by a majority vote) that they understand the need for this antler restriction (at least 3 one inch points on at least one side of it’s rack) for the benefit of the herd and the proliferation of our hunting tradition.
WHEREAS: The implementation of antler restrictions are supported by thousands of organized New York sportsmen including the memberships of:
The Sullivan County Federation of Sportsmen
The Ulster County Federation of Sportsmen
The Greene County Federation of Sportsmen
The Schoharie County Conservation Association
The Suffolk Alliance of Sportsmen
The Nassau County Fish and Game
The Quality Deer Management Association
The NYS Whitetail Management Coalition
BE IT RESOLVED:
That the NYSCC support the implementation of a 3-point antler restriction (on at least one side) in areas of this state, where there is a disproportionate (abnormal) amount of young male deer. The result will benefit the health of the herd and hunting in general.
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