Senior hunters
Pennsylvania
Contributors to this thread:
I read that they're thinking on changing the rules for Senior hunters. They would be the same as Junior hunters as far as antler restriction. I know I've had a bunch of bucks that I would of shot if they would of been legal. I think it would help to get rid of some of those bucks that nobody can shoot that are doing all the breeding. I've had small bucks within ten yards of me the last couple of years, looks like my self bow might get some action. What do you think, good idea or bad idea?
It wouldn't bother me. I think a lot of guys that get to that age don't put the same emphasis on killing a deer as when they were younger. Probably wouldn't even be that significant. I bet a lot of the seniors would still look to shoot something bigger.
What's next? Women too? lol
Honestly, I don't really care. I wouldn't care if they removed antler restrictions altogether for everyone.
If it gets ol' RC back out in the woods, I'm all for it! ;-D
Hey, I got it. Let's remove antler restrictions for selfbow users!
I'm not for it, there should be no exceptions at all. I understand the junior reasoning as it is trying to get them to continue hunting and have something to be excited about instead of pursuing something else. People are already complaining in some areas of no deer so eliminating rules would accomplish what exactly? Maybe I'm being selfish and will ruffle a few feathers but honestly I don't care, what's legal for one should be legal for all not a select few.
Antler restrictions shouldn't be different for youth in the first place.
Besides,everyone knows little kids shoot nothing but monster bucks. Anyone who believes these youngsters are really killing these bucks needs to wake up.
Lessening requirements for this special group or that just so they can succeed is what's wrong with our world today. Give everyone a participation trophy and a comfort dog to pet while you're at it.
No thank you !
As a senior hunter I would not ask for, nor do I expect any exceptions of the rules regarding the antler restrictions on bucks due to my age. The same enjoyment / anticipation of taking a "Big Buck" still excites me after all of these years.
If an exception of the rules were made for "aged" hunter's then I personally would feel somewhat humiliated and disrespected by virtue of my senior status. I know I'm old, the rule book doesn't need to tell me that .
I'll choose to hunt under the same rules as every other hunter !
I'm just the messenger don't get mad at me.lol I'm a meat Hunter and the first decent legal sized buck would get shot if they changed the rule. I would rather not gun hunt and would rather take a small buck with a bow. If I got to wait for a three on top it's okay with me, worked out last year I got a shot at the biggest buck I've ever shot at.
I was surprised to read it but someone must be pushing for the change, could be the gun hunters.
I cannot believe you still think that all the inferior bucks are doing the breading.
There are some studies that show mature bucks sire 4 to 6 fawns a year. They will stay with a hot doe for up to 48 hours. I usually see three or four small bucks for every legal one on my trail cameras.
I believe the so called inferior bucks are the one and a half year old sons of the mature bucks that just have not grown up yet, all with the same genes. The does even carry the same genetics.
Will tell,
I know you are the messenger. Not mad at all. Just stating my opinion lol :^}
Horsethief,
I am in agreement with your thought's :^}
The shooting / taking of small bucks or shooting a so called "Cull Buck" does not improve the genetic's of or increase antler size in any deer heard. IMO
Since mature bucks may travel as much as 20 miles during the rut genetics are varied by nature as a buffer against inbreeding within the herd. Again IMO :^}
If a hunter doesn't see any mature bucks could the reason's be ?
1. The killing of small bucks does not allow for maturity :^}
2. Hunting area or proper set up :^}
3. The hunter ?
LOL, Just my opinion's :^}
Mixed opinions, when Dad was in his mid 70'S it was getting pretty damn hard to get a legal size buck in his stickbow range that wanted shot. And the amount of posted property due to "raising" booners is becoming an epidemic. It wouldn't bother me eliminating the point rule for some or all.
Ya mean ya shoot at them?:)
LOL Roy! But I actually saw a picture of one hawk-eye killed this year! ;-)
I did too and could see the tire marks across it's chest too:)
Antler restrictions been in place for 15 years, there should be more bigger bucks then what there is, pa is no way illinois or iowa, go to no antler restrictions. Let pa hunters who pay to hunt put there own antler restriction on the deer they would like to harvest.
Since antler restriction, the average buck in my area has greatly improved.
The bucks in our area have improved too, the doe's taste better.
Bowhunter s- when I first started bowhunting you never saw a muture buck. Tons of does and the ocassional spike buck or maybe forkhorn. AFTER antler restrictions, the percentage of mature bucks went WAY up! I'd much rather see a few less doe and way more mature bucks!
If you believe that AR's haven't improved the quality of bucks in Pa then I got a bridge in Alaska to sell ya!
Been bow hunting for 49 years and I've seen nice bucks every year. I can not argue that a lot of nice bucks are being taken today, but technology is part of the reason. And with social media your seeing more of them. Patterning a buck has never been easier. Probably all depends on your hunting area, but the meat has sure gotten a lot more expensive for most.
Yea , I hear you rut, I got a cabin in Forrest county pa, we would see a herd of 30 deer and all were doe, mite see a spike or a little 4 point , 6 point was huge back then , just haven't seen the big boys yet , I do believe restriction is helping alot, but I think I should be allowed to arrow a 20 inch spread 6 point. If it only has 2 up and a brow tine.
Mitch's Link
Here is the agenda for the January meeting. No mention of changing antler restrictions for seniors.
LOL. Funny how rumors grow...
"Antler restrictions shouldn't be different for youth in the first place. Besides,everyone knows little kids shoot nothing but monster bucks. Anyone who believes these youngsters are really killing these bucks needs to wake up."
Just curious red, what age do you think a kid is capable to take a deer on their own? I had a guy I work with insinuate that my 9 year old daughter didn't actually shoot her buck this past year. He is one of those jealous hunters that thinks since he can't kill anything that there is no way my daughter was able to kill one. I asked him to bring his bow to my house and him and my daughter could shoot at 30 yards for a dollar a shot, closest to a quarter, he refused.
Also, I can't believe the people still complaining about a little kid being able to shoot any buck! Most of the guys complaining are older hunters who were able to shoot any buck they wanted for years and years before antler restrictions but now have a problem with a kid being able to take any buck for a few years.
Oh, and by the way Red. No participation trophy needed for my daughter. She would rather have this trophy! ;)
But.....I think a few guys on here could use this one!!
That's what hunting is all about right there, her smile says it all ,congrats on a nice buck.
Red's a grumpy ole man. Jealous cause he has never kilt a buck. All he shoots is his bag targets.
Ben, congratulations, you have a lifetime hunting partner there.