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Hunter Attitudes about Antler Restrictions

In the Pilot Antler Restriction Units:

DEC has surveyed hunters in Ulster County since 2005 and Sullivan County since 2006 to monitor any changes in hunter behaviors or perceptions regarding the pilot antler restriction program. To the degree possible, we have re-surveyed the same hunters over time to assess how individuals' experiences and perceptions have changed.

Ulster County Deer Hunters' Satisfaction with the Pilot Antler Restriction Program in Wildlife Management Units 3C and 3J. May 2006 (823K pdf)
Evaluation of Antler Restrictions in DEC Region 3: 2nd Year in 3C and 3J, 1st Year in 3H and 3K. June 2008 (288K pdf)
Deer Hunters' Assessment of Antler Restrictions in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 3C, 3J, 3H, and 3K During the 2007 Hunting Season. December 2008 (281K pdf)

Possible Outcomes of the Antler Restriction Program That Are Important And Most Important to Respondents
Possible Outcome Important
(%)		 Most Important (%)
To see a larger number of mature antlered bucks 70 31
To be able to harvest more mature antlered bucks 61 17
To increase the quality and health of all deer 52 12
To see a more equal ratio of bucks to does 51 13
To decrease the urgency by hunters to shoot at the first deer they see 46 4
To see a more balanced age structure among male deer 45 4
To increase hunting safety by encouraging better target identification 40 6
To increase the deer density 28 7
To make WMUs 3C and 3J a premier hunting destination 18 1
To reduce the deer density 4 2
To allow landowners to get top dollar for hunting leases 3 0
Other reasons 8 3
Comparison of Deer Hunter's Experiences Versus Expectations in the Pilot Antler Restriction Units
Deer Hunting Experience WMUs Lower than Expected About as Expected Higher than Expected
# of older bucks I see while hunting 3C-3J
3H-3K		 64.4%
59.2%		 30.8%
34.7%		 4.8%
6.1%
# of big-racked bucks I see while hunting 3C-3J
3H-3K		 73.4%
64.8%		 23.2%
32.4%		 3.4%
2.8%
Change in my chances of shooting a buck 3C-3J
3H-3K		 53.8%
43.8%		 44.2%
48.6%		 1.9%
7.5%
Change in the ratio of bucks to does 3C-3J
3H-3K		 43.6%
39.0%		 51.0%
50.0%		 5.4%
11.0%
Change in my overall satisfaction 3C-3J
3H-3K		 46.6%
38.1%		 42.1%
44.9%

11.5%
17.0%

How has buck-hunting satisfaction changed since implementation of the antler restriction program?

  • WMUs 3C and 3J: slightly fewer hunters reported their satisfaction increased (32%) as reported their satisfaction decreased (36%), while 32% reported no change.
  • WMUs 3H and 3K: slightly more hunters reported their satisfaction increased (41%) as reported their satisfaction decreased (29%), while 30% reported no change.

Should the antler restriction program continue?

  • WMUs 3C and 3J: 60% of respondents said the program should continue, 29% said it should not continue, 11% had no opinion.
  • WMUs 3H and 3K: 77% of respondents said the program should continue, 14% said it should not continue, 9% had no opinion.

Across New York State:

2007 Statewide Deer Hunter Survey: Participation During the '06 Seasons, Opinions about Hot-Button Issues, and Trends in Characteristics of Hunters. June 2008 (726K pdf)

Would hunters support a change to reduce the buck bag limit to one buck per year for all hunters during all seasons?

  • Central and Western New York hunters: 35% support, 50% oppose, 15% no opinion
  • Northern New York hunters: 35% support, 49% oppose, 16% no opinion
  • Southeastern New York hunters: 31% support, 55% oppose, 14% no opinion

Would hunters support an experimental regulation to protect most yearling bucks from harvest?

  • Central and Western New York hunters: 57% support, 30% oppose, 13% no opinion
  • Northern New York hunters: 52% support, 34% oppose, 14% no opinion
  • Southeastern New York hunters: 63% support, 26% oppose, 11% no opinion

In Specific Areas Where Hunters have Submitted Antler Restriction Proposals:

Central New York

Opinions of Deer Hunters in Wildlife Management Units 7F, 7H, and 7J About Possible Changes in Buck Harvest Management. February 2007 (394K pdf)

Northern and Western Catskills

Assessment of Deer Hunters' Support for Antler Restrictions in Wildlife Management Units 3A, 4G, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, 4W, and 4X. March 2009 (230K pdf)