Similar increases in buck-hunting satisfaction were observed in the surrounding region as occurred within the pilot area. Satisfaction with buck-hunting was generally higher in the pilot AR units than the surrounding region. The impact of ARs on hunter satisfaction was mixed.Overall participation by non-local hunters appeared to decline because of ARs. ARs had no effect on hunter participation for the majority of hunters.A similar shift was observed in neighboring units without ARs. A shift in sex ratios of deer observed in the pilot AR units was apparent.Hunters also indicated that ARs had little influence on their willingness to harvest antlerless deer. ARs did not noticeably impact harvest of antlerless deer.WMU 3H was the only unit where buck take returned to the level immediately prior to AR. The increase did not fully compensate for the reduction in yearling harvest, and total buck take generally remained >20% below pre-AR levels. The number of 2.5+ year old bucks in the harvest increased since implementation of ARs.The pilot AR program substantially reduced the proportion of yearling (1.5 year old) bucks in the harvest, and harvest composition shifted to older bucks.(excerpts from the summary report, June 2011) For related information see Deer Hunter Attitudes about Antler Restrictions.Hunters' Experiences with and Attitudes about Antler Restrictions in Wildlife Management Units 3C, 3J, 3H, and 3K during the 2010 Hunting Season (PDF) (June 2011).

A Summary of New York's Pilot Antler Restriction Program (PDF) (June 2011).You may not use an antlerless tag on a buck with antlers greater than 3 inches but less than the 3-point on one side restriction. You may only use your antlerless tags (Bow/Muzzleloading or DMPs) for female deer or bucks with antlers less than 3 inches. Antler Point Restrictions in Selected Wildlife Management UnitsĪ mandatory antler point restriction (AR) is in place in WMUs 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 4G, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S and 4W in Southeastern New York to reduce harvest of yearling (1.5 years old) bucks.

Deer antler spike