PA Antler restrictios--working?
12-07-2006, 12:37 PM
#31
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 522
RE: PA Antler restrictios--working?
Since this thread is supposed to be about whether or not ARs are working, did you stop at Ackley's this yearor last year? 75 bucks enteredon the first two days this season:
Avg. weight: over 140lbs.
Avg. points: slightly over 8 points
29 bucks with spreads 17" (inside) or greater
About half the entries weighed more than 130lbs (quite a few over 150lbs)
My son hadn't hunted up there in the past 10 years but came up and hunted the first 3 days this year. Upon looking at the entry board and then going inside to look at the pictures, he observed that they sure didn't look like this around here 10 years ago.It wasn't allthat many years ago that a 140lb buck with a 17" spread was a potential contest winner there, since they were primarily 120 pounders with 10"-12" spreads.Now, the winners weigh upwards of 170lbs and sport 22"-25" 10 or 12pt racks.
Having hunted in that area for over 40 years and recalling what weights and rack dimensions the avg. buck amounted to over that time period, there were some mighty spectacular bucks brought in there this year and last few years, come to think of it. Granted, it's just one small picture of the overall situtation, but things are looking up in the bigger bucks department in the area I hunt in.
Avg. weight: over 140lbs.
Avg. points: slightly over 8 points
29 bucks with spreads 17" (inside) or greater
About half the entries weighed more than 130lbs (quite a few over 150lbs)
My son hadn't hunted up there in the past 10 years but came up and hunted the first 3 days this year. Upon looking at the entry board and then going inside to look at the pictures, he observed that they sure didn't look like this around here 10 years ago.It wasn't allthat many years ago that a 140lb buck with a 17" spread was a potential contest winner there, since they were primarily 120 pounders with 10"-12" spreads.Now, the winners weigh upwards of 170lbs and sport 22"-25" 10 or 12pt racks.
Having hunted in that area for over 40 years and recalling what weights and rack dimensions the avg. buck amounted to over that time period, there were some mighty spectacular bucks brought in there this year and last few years, come to think of it. Granted, it's just one small picture of the overall situtation, but things are looking up in the bigger bucks department in the area I hunt in.
12-07-2006, 03:58 PM
#32
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location:
Posts: 430
RE: PA Antler restrictios--working?
It was but a few short years ago when Ackley's had over 100 bucks registered at the end of the first day. Many of them big bucks.
But let's talk about the Buck and deer kill on Game Lands and other Public Land. What do those figures show us?
And let's not forget, none of the executive managers of the PGC nor any of the Commissioners hunt public land on opening day of deer (rifle) season. If things are so damn good on Game Lands and public land why is it that none of the policy makers hunt there?
If we could only get the military statistician who heads up the PGC and Gary Altto impliment the Herd Reduction Plan in Iraq against the terrorists and insurgents the world would be a better place. Don't you agree???
By the way, where's the photo of your17"+ buck?
But let's talk about the Buck and deer kill on Game Lands and other Public Land. What do those figures show us?
And let's not forget, none of the executive managers of the PGC nor any of the Commissioners hunt public land on opening day of deer (rifle) season. If things are so damn good on Game Lands and public land why is it that none of the policy makers hunt there?
If we could only get the military statistician who heads up the PGC and Gary Altto impliment the Herd Reduction Plan in Iraq against the terrorists and insurgents the world would be a better place. Don't you agree???
By the way, where's the photo of your17"+ buck?
12-07-2006, 04:06 PM
#33
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Slower Lower Delaware 1st State
Posts: 1,776
RE: PA Antler restrictios--working?
Good Point - The Topic is: PA Antler restrictions working?
It Ain't about Does or BB's - OR - who's shootin Bambi's - OR - Who and Why hunters hunt Where they do.
Are AR's working in PA. I was really liken this thread and glad to see some positive posts about some nice Bucks taken up there. That's the topic.
But then Somebody(s) has to hi-jack the Topic[:@]
It Ain't about Does or BB's - OR - who's shootin Bambi's - OR - Who and Why hunters hunt Where they do.
Are AR's working in PA. I was really liken this thread and glad to see some positive posts about some nice Bucks taken up there. That's the topic.
But then Somebody(s) has to hi-jack the Topic[:@]
12-07-2006, 04:52 PM
#34
Host of Hosts
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
Posts: 5,780
RE: PA Antler restrictios--working?
Good Point - The Topic is: PA Antler restrictions working?
It Ain't about Does or BB's - OR - who's shootin Bambi's - OR - Who and Why hunters hunt Where they do.
Are AR's working in PA. I was really liken this thread and glad to see some positive posts about some nice Bucks taken up there. That's the topic.
But then Somebody(s) has to hi-jack the Topic
It Ain't about Does or BB's - OR - who's shootin Bambi's - OR - Who and Why hunters hunt Where they do.
Are AR's working in PA. I was really liken this thread and glad to see some positive posts about some nice Bucks taken up there. That's the topic.
But then Somebody(s) has to hi-jack the Topic
12-07-2006, 06:25 PM
#35
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: PA.
Posts: 5,195
RE: PA Antler restrictios--working?
is AR working,i am seeing bigger rack deer killed BUT fewer buck are being seen..so, is AR working,no..it would work if following happened..
hunters stop shooting fawns which turn into your future AR buck..
if hunters dont stop shooting fawns,then,3 point rule for all, including kids..
as long as hunters pull trigger on fawns,no AR is going to work..
hunters stop shooting fawns which turn into your future AR buck..
if hunters dont stop shooting fawns,then,3 point rule for all, including kids..
as long as hunters pull trigger on fawns,no AR is going to work..
12-07-2006, 07:32 PM
#36
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 522
RE: PA Antler restrictios--working?
Don't recall if Alt said more and bigger bucks, or more bigger bucks. Never attended any of his shows nor watched the VHS tape they handed out.
While Ackley'soften had over a hundred bucks entered with a few nice ones each seasonsome yearsback, prior to ARs being in place the past few seasons,most were light weight deer withbasket racks, spikes and forkhorns. Many will not even take a buck there now, since they close at 6PM instead of staying open late on opening night, as the previous owner always did. Rules say they must be entered on the day taken. Wasn't a problem gettinga late afternoon killthere from 30 miles away, when you had until8PM.
Don't have a pic of "my" 17" buck. Passed on several does the first few days, only saw 3 sub-legal bucks the first week. Did see several nice ones during archery season, driving around "glassing"in the late afternoons during the falland while spotlighting. Cousin's kid also got pics of them in the immediate areaon his trail cam. He did kill a heavy 18" 8pt not far from where I hunt, during archery season. The nice 10 pointerwe saw this fall was killed by a neighboring farmer on opening day. Didn't kill any deer this year at camp, as I came home last night.
Yep, all on private ground. It's where I primarilyhunt. Figure if a tight wad like me can afford a small parcel to hunt on and manage to get along well enough with the neighboring farmersto hunt on their ground too, so should just about anyone else be able to. I hunt on SGLs closer to where I live, mostly during flintlock season. I could care less wherecommissioners hunt, don't know why you or anyone elsewould. It's not a socialist state, yet.
Yes, we now have fewer deer, just as I suspected we would once HR was in place for a few years. Life holds fewer surprises for them what pays attention.
While Ackley'soften had over a hundred bucks entered with a few nice ones each seasonsome yearsback, prior to ARs being in place the past few seasons,most were light weight deer withbasket racks, spikes and forkhorns. Many will not even take a buck there now, since they close at 6PM instead of staying open late on opening night, as the previous owner always did. Rules say they must be entered on the day taken. Wasn't a problem gettinga late afternoon killthere from 30 miles away, when you had until8PM.
Don't have a pic of "my" 17" buck. Passed on several does the first few days, only saw 3 sub-legal bucks the first week. Did see several nice ones during archery season, driving around "glassing"in the late afternoons during the falland while spotlighting. Cousin's kid also got pics of them in the immediate areaon his trail cam. He did kill a heavy 18" 8pt not far from where I hunt, during archery season. The nice 10 pointerwe saw this fall was killed by a neighboring farmer on opening day. Didn't kill any deer this year at camp, as I came home last night.
Yep, all on private ground. It's where I primarilyhunt. Figure if a tight wad like me can afford a small parcel to hunt on and manage to get along well enough with the neighboring farmersto hunt on their ground too, so should just about anyone else be able to. I hunt on SGLs closer to where I live, mostly during flintlock season. I could care less wherecommissioners hunt, don't know why you or anyone elsewould. It's not a socialist state, yet.
Yes, we now have fewer deer, just as I suspected we would once HR was in place for a few years. Life holds fewer surprises for them what pays attention.
12-07-2006, 10:28 PM
#37
Spike
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Murrysville Pa/now Vacaville CA
Posts: 47
RE: PA Antler restrictios--working?
glad to see that there is a wave of folks who actually notice it is getting better... I have seen a steady increase in quality bucks.. The point germain made is perfect..For years we had too many deer.. and limited food... Our farm was killed each year... by Jan and Feb the deer were so hungry they literally came onto our porch and ate the bird feeder.. The term Germain didn't use is called carrying capacity by farmers... we PA folks let the carrying capacity to be exceeded for years and then we got used to it... now we are repairing the problem..
Ohio, smokin bucks, not thousands of deer... Ill, smokin bucks, not thousands... Iowa, smokin bucks, not thousands of deer... PA has switched from an agricultural base to timber, mining, and service base... Iowa, Ohio, Ill more agricultural and more carrying capacity..
Do the math.. 500,000 does x 1 fawn = 1,000,000 every spring.. Kill 300,000 does and you still have 700,000 does left.. just like cattle... The mystical formula is not that mystical...
Ohio, smokin bucks, not thousands of deer... Ill, smokin bucks, not thousands... Iowa, smokin bucks, not thousands of deer... PA has switched from an agricultural base to timber, mining, and service base... Iowa, Ohio, Ill more agricultural and more carrying capacity..
Do the math.. 500,000 does x 1 fawn = 1,000,000 every spring.. Kill 300,000 does and you still have 700,000 does left.. just like cattle... The mystical formula is not that mystical...
12-08-2006, 07:08 AM
#39
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: OKC Ok. USA
Posts: 501
RE: PA Antler restrictios--working?
I moved from Monroe County Pa. in Sept and sorry I wouldn't have a chance to hunt Pa. I can tell you from my observations that in the 18 years I lived there I never saw so many good bucks in my travels as this year prior to my move.
8 pt were common and got to see at least a dozen more in the 10 +. They're there alrightbut with no tresspassing signs the state "flower" of the area they'll be harder to come by. Heck I saw a heavy body 8near Shoprite on 191 in Stroudsburg and watched a nice 10 get hit by a car and then get uprun off (lucky for the buck it was a rainy day and cars moving slow)in the middle of the day in Mountainhome.
8 pt were common and got to see at least a dozen more in the 10 +. They're there alrightbut with no tresspassing signs the state "flower" of the area they'll be harder to come by. Heck I saw a heavy body 8near Shoprite on 191 in Stroudsburg and watched a nice 10 get hit by a car and then get uprun off (lucky for the buck it was a rainy day and cars moving slow)in the middle of the day in Mountainhome.
12-09-2006, 06:27 PM
#40
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tunkhannock, PA USA
Posts: 171
RE: PA Antler restrictios--working?
In my area definately working...Killed a 7-1/2 year old 13 pointer this year that dressed out at 187 lbs with a 142 gross score. I love AR!
Most of the Nay sayers in my area are slowly begining to like see the light on AR...and the now support it. Alot of Nicer quality animals.
I personally think the deer #s are about where they should be. However, we hunted alot of SGL's the 2nd week of the season and i will say the PGC needs to do some major timbering! They are all mature hardwoods with nothing for the deer to eat ) except acorns if there is a mast crop.
My observations....from the 2nd week...Where there was food and cover the deer where there....Open pole timber or mature hardwoods and there was nothing!!
Most of the Nay sayers in my area are slowly begining to like see the light on AR...and the now support it. Alot of Nicer quality animals.
I personally think the deer #s are about where they should be. However, we hunted alot of SGL's the 2nd week of the season and i will say the PGC needs to do some major timbering! They are all mature hardwoods with nothing for the deer to eat ) except acorns if there is a mast crop.
My observations....from the 2nd week...Where there was food and cover the deer where there....Open pole timber or mature hardwoods and there was nothing!!