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Post by squash on Dec 2, 2015 17:47:35 GMT -5
You must hunt in an area over run with deer, most of us don't. I just think shortening the gun season you increase the ranks of crossbow hunters because the state will have to lengthen archery/crossbow seasons to appease gun hunters. Take 3 weeks away fro gun hunters and add 3weeks to bow/crossbow season, no net gain for trappers, right ? I know of many gun hunters that bought crossbows this year to take advantage of the week of crossbow season before gun season opened.
So I'm of the opinion that you will not decrease the amount of hunters or hours spent hunting. You want NY to be like OH ? I do too, as far as buck quality and balanced sex ratios. I've bowhunted SE OH for many years, it's tough to find a piece of ground without bow hunting pressure. Hunting land is being gobbled up by non-resident hunters at the speed of light. Again, just as many deer hunters in the woods, just with diferent implements, how does that free up ground for trappers ?
Anyway it's a moot point because I doubt you'll see any shortening of gun season, because it's about selling lic. Generating state revenues.
Don't know what will cheapen the hunt in the southern zone, I don't hunt there, but it would cheapen and destroy the hunting camp culture in the northern zone if the season was shortened there. It's not all about killing a deer. Just like trapping, I don't think it's all about catching hundreds of furbearers ?
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Post by trappermac on Dec 2, 2015 19:22:13 GMT -5
I think Squash makes good points, especially about the hunting camp culture. Besides the state land I border, most of my neighbors are seasonal deer camps. These guys all have from 25 - 125 acres, nice camps that they laid out hard earned cash for and maintain nicely to be able to use for the 4 weeks of deer gun season, a few use during the bow season but I see one maybe two vehicles in front of their camps on bow weekends, 6-7 on gun weekends (mainly the first week). Would they have these camps if deer season was 1 week in duration? Doubt it.
My biggest obstacle on the farms I trap have been goose hunters, every year I have to alter my plans around their set-ups. It's worse than deer hunters as they are set up in the same places I want to set traps. Look how long and liberal those seasons have become! I have to set up or check after they leave in the AM, as I don't want to mess up their set-up. Give them their time in the field, it's always worked out fine. I also see bowhunters far more consistently than gun hunters during their respective seasons. Everyone wants to be afield for what floats their boat for as long as they can be.
Is the deer season too long, I believe it is. Run gun season for 2 weeks, any weapon, done. That would be fine with me. I am also a falconer who tries to fly his hawk 1-2 times/week for a few hours, during deer season I essentially have to park him in his facility for 4 weeks and miss a time when small game is still moving before the winter snows arrive and rabbits and squirrels hole up. I'd love to get a couple of those weeks. But, reality tells me to forget it. Just look at the ruse caused when they limited the first 2 weeks of bow season in many counties to does only. Deer rule, always will.
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Zagman
#2 Newhouse
Posts: 2,186
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Post by Zagman on Dec 2, 2015 22:47:57 GMT -5
there's more deer camps per square mile in PA and the culture thereof than probably the other 49 states (I exaggerate) combined.....and their deer season (gun) is two weeks long. The WHOLE state shuts down.....
Every man in PA goes to deer camp.......and the tradition thereof.
You think there are MORE deer camps now in NY with 5 weeks of gun season than there were 20-30 years ago with shorter gun seasons??? Doubtful....
Bow season and crossbow season does NOT shut down opportunities like deer gun season. I trap a million farms in October and early Nov with NO issues...gun season starts and the LANDOWNERS start hunting. Game Set Match....over. No one wants to give up ANYTHING in this day and age bag limit wise, season-length wise......I get it. I DO.....
So...you guys want deer season LONGER so can go to camp and play cards and drink beer??? Cool....I cannot argue that!!!
Deer season...killing brain cells...NOT deer!
Joking!
MZ
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Post by mrlongbeard1 on Dec 3, 2015 3:11:54 GMT -5
The hunting pressure in my area is 5% of what it was 25 yrs ago. No excitement like there use to be. There is no build up to the opener. It's such a long season that people get a Ill get there before season ends atitude. Then they never get there, or its a day and oh well atitude. Longer seasons have not helped with the deer population.... Its a visable fact..
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Post by cnyh2ofowler on Dec 3, 2015 9:25:49 GMT -5
I hunt south of Auburn and the deer population there is way down. I think its a perfect storm of factors. 2 doe permit area and everyone's wife gets 2 so everyone in the field is carrying 4 doe permits. 2 bad winters. More coyotes than I have ever seen. Unlimited nuisance permits to the farmers in the area. All these factors have combined to make for very few deer. Lots of deer in the city of Auburn and the burbs but not where you can get at them.
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Post by Lonny Mattison on Dec 3, 2015 10:10:34 GMT -5
Since Oct. 10 I have hunted 3 times. No interest hunting them anymore. I have my son give me venison.
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Post by tony1967 on Dec 3, 2015 12:18:26 GMT -5
I hunted 60 hours in my bow stands here in the southern zone. Saw very few deer, only 4 bucks and 3 were spikes. Lucked out in opening day with a buck, but really just want to get back to trapping. My interest is waning every year with deer hunting. I too think the gun season is way too long. 2 weeks tops would be more than enough.
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Post by mb650 on Dec 3, 2015 13:53:15 GMT -5
Ahhhh finally this forum wakes up, oh that's right it's on deer hunting lol. I love deer hunting always have but yes beyond to long! Bow, gun and smoke pole all combined oct to dec way to long. I am NOT trying to be disrespectful at all , but if ya can't kill 3/4 deer in that time somethings wrong . I ve hunted most of NY state at one time or another and killed deer. There is better spots then other I will agree. We have 57arces and probably have the worst @sshole neighbors you could imagine brown it's down theory, drive up and down there roadways . Believe me I can go on!!!! Point ..I still kill deer with bow, gun and muzzleloader and yes decent bucks also. Most of time first week. Want big bucks if that's the hold up for 3month deer season .Look at the states that kill big bucks 3 to4 weeks seasons and some with no rifle.
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Post by saquelie on Dec 3, 2015 17:36:03 GMT -5
Almost every time I ask for permission to trap on some ones land its always the same song. Sure catch all those dam coyotes or all those dam beaver BUT after deer season. Well lets see deer season starts Oct 1st and ends I think Dec 12 wonderful. I would trade our Northern season for your Southern. Give the deer hunters the month of Oct all of Ny.
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Post by tony1967 on Dec 3, 2015 19:44:31 GMT -5
You want our southern season? Bow starts on Oct 1st and muzzleloader ends on Dec 22nd. Some farms I have permission on want me to wait until December 23rd.......yeah it's wonderful down here..
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