Antler Restriction/ Recruitments?

[bownut]

Here's a interesting Model:
Click On:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-tOjmGAlYU

[bownut]

Here's Part 2
Interesting to see how Doe Harvest can really knock down the population

Click On:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buyiCU8TlwQ .

[Wild one]

Hunters in this area maybe supporting the restriction but it has been abandoned in most of North America for good reason

If you dig further you will find point restrictions have been abandoned in most places because it is poor for genetics and does not promote trophy animals.

Instead many places trying to promote larger trophies have found restricting the number of bucks harvested is a lot more effective

If BC goes to the proposed 1 mule deer limit for BC it is a step in the right direction

[steveo]

Even though I don't support this model it is some what interesting, comparing this to B.C is like comparing lemons to watermelons.

[bownut]

Even though I don't support this model it is some what interesting, comparing this to B.C is like comparing lemons to watermelons.

Breeding deer are breeding deer, our very own system is based on the numbers that Bio is speaking of. Funny to see how Doe Harvest is the best tool to quickly drop
the population. Interesting to see how most of the hunters would choose to back off on any buck just so they can participate in a older structure. It's not Trophy
Hunting it's more of a Selective way of thinking.
The climb in recruitment is what amazes me along with it's stability in population and constant harvest numbers. Don't forget they spend way more money on data
than we have ever done in our Province. That being said, your correct, "it's is like comparing Apples and Oranges".
Just something to wallow in..

[Fisher-Dude]

Antler restrictions are harvest restrictions that limit buck
harvest to animals that meet specific antler criteria. The
most common type of antler restriction is a point restriction.
Antler point restrictions have been used as a harvest strategy
with the hope they will increase the number of large-antlered
bucks in a mule deer population. Experience of many states
and provinces with antler point restrictions suggest this
harvest strategy has very limited potential to produce more
trophy bucks and could result in other unintended challenges.

BACKGROUND
Increasing the number of big-antlered bucks is typically the
basis for hunter demands to implement antler point restrictions.
The idea seems straightforward and promising; if we just don’t
allow hunters to harvest young bucks, they will grow older and
bigger and be available for harvest later. Most western states
and provinces have, at one point in time, employed some type
of antler point restriction attempting to increase the number of
“trophy” bucks in their herds.


THE GOOD
• Decreases hunter pressure and total buck harvest by discouraging some hunters who do not want to be
restricted to a particular antler-sized buck. This can be beneficial when harvest is heavy in relation to the
number of available bucks, but not heavy enough to warrant changing to limited quota seasons.
• In some cases, antler point restrictions have increased the proportion of bucks in the population, but this
effect may not be long-lasting.
• In remote areas with limited access, antler point restrictions have been used in combination with general
seasons to maintain hunter opportunity

THE BAD

• Antler point restrictions focus all the hunting pressure on the oldest age classes of bucks, gradually decrease the
average age of the buck segment of the population, and make it more difficult for bucks to reach the older age
classes due to the displaced harvest pressure.

• Antler point restrictions have been shown to reduce the number of trophy bucks over time by protecting only the

smaller-antlered young bucks.
• Antler point restrictions do not increase fawn production or population size. Even in herds with very low
buck:doe ratios (<10:100), pregnancy rates are well over 90%. Large increases in buck ratios result in relatively
few, or no, additional fawns.

THE UGLY

• Antler point restrictions dramatically reduce hunter participation, harvest success, and total harvest.

• Antler point restrictions increase the number of deer shot and illegally left in the field; this can be significant,

and has been documented in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Nevada, and Montana.
• Antler point restrictions can cheapen the value of young bucks by changing the threshold for success from
“a buck” to a quest where only a big buck will do.
• Antler point restrictions may discourage hunters (especially beginning and young hunters) by increasing the

difficulty of locating and identifying legal deer.


CONCLUSIONS


After decades of use and many evaluations reporting disappointing results, most western states and provinces

have discontinued statewide antler point restrictions. The two main reasons for abandoning widespread antler

point restrictions are (1) unacceptable accidental-illegal kill, and (2) harvest mortality was increased (focused) on

the very age classes they intended to promote. Available data and experience suggest antler point restrictions result

in no long-term increase in either the proportion or number of mature bucks, or the total deer population. A few

jurisdictions still have limited areas with antler point restrictions, due to hunter preference. The use of antler point

restrictions in a combined strategy with general seasons is used in at least one case to maximize hunting opportunity.

There are additional reasons why the widespread use of antler point restrictions has not been successful. Research

has shown buck fawns born to does in poor body condition have difficulty outgrowing the effects of poor body

condition at birth, and may never reach their genetic potential for antler growth. Regulations protecting these

bucks from harvest are counterproductive to the intended benefit.


Most western states and provinces have concluded that sustainable improvements in buck:doe ratios and the number

of mature bucks can only be realized by reducing harvest through 1) a limited-quota license system that decreases

overall total buck harvest while allowing some level of doe harvest, or 2) setting a very short hunting season in early

fall when more mature bucks are less vulnerable.


It has been suggested while antler point restrictions may increase the proportion of bucks in certain populations with

low buck:doe ratios, there is no evidence they substantially increase the total number of adult (mature) bucks.

[boxhitch]

Then the best scenario is to compliment antler point restrictions with gos any-buck, for a good cross-sectional harvest. win win

[dana]

Come on FD, please don't lie! You know why we have antler restrictions in this province and it has nothing to do with 'trophy' deer. You play your little games but you get your butt handed to you every time.

Why do we use antler restrictions in this province? Simply, it is to give more hunter opportunity without worry about over harvest of game during times they are more vulnerable, like the Rut. The point count actually takes time, especially in a province full of trees. Being sure of your target means the rutting buck has a chance to clue in to the 'unsafe' situation and bail on the hunter. Young bucks in particular are really 'dumb' during the rut. They are so busy trying to get a piece of action all their safe guards are down. This is why hunters in this province complain that all they see is small bucks in Nov. because the average young buck doesn't know they should be hiding. Most of the hunter success in this province is during our anybuck seasons. By using a combination of anybuck seasons and point restrictions, we can see a harvest among all age classes and still allow hunter opportunity during times of year most other jurisdictions in the West are shut down or under a limited draw system to ensure harvest numbers are not too high.

Soo, FD there is your hunter opportunity. If we take away point restrictions, seasons will be shortened dramically. Choose your poison! I know you just want to see all the critters dead, but many in this province would like to see our hunting heritage continue from our childern to grandchildern to great granchildern. There is no place in wildlife management for selfish hunters like yourself that just want to kill everything right now.

[Steeleco]

Come on FD, please don't lie! You know why we have antler restrictions in this province and it has nothing to do with 'trophy' deer. You play your little games but you get your butt handed to you every time.

And this from the guy who wants the site to go back to the old ways? Play nice or play somewhere else!

[Wild one]

Come on FD, please don't lie! You know why we have antler restrictions in this province and it has nothing to do with 'trophy' deer. You play your little games but you get your butt handed to you every time.

Why do we use antler restrictions in this province? Simply, it is to give more hunter opportunity without worry about over harvest of game during times they are more vulnerable, like the Rut. The point count actually takes time, especially in a province full of trees. Being sure of your target means the rutting buck has a chance to clue in to the 'unsafe' situation and bail on the hunter. Young bucks in particular are really 'dumb' during the rut. They are so busy trying to get a piece of action all their safe guards are down. This is why hunters in this province complain that all they see is small bucks in Nov. because the average young buck doesn't know they should be hiding. Most of the hunter success in this province is during our anybuck seasons. By using a combination of anybuck seasons and point restrictions, we can see a harvest among all age classes and still allow hunter opportunity during times of year most other jurisdictions in the West are shut down or under a limited draw system to ensure harvest numbers are not too high.

Soo, FD there is your hunter opotunity. If we take away point restrictions, seasons will be shortened dramically. Choose your poison! I know you just want to see all the critters dead, but many in this province would like to see our hunting heritage continue from our childern to grandchildern to great granchildern. There is no place in wildlife management for selfish hunters like yourself that just want to kill everything right now.

This is the correct reason BC has point restrictions ^^^