Deer management: Can it work, will it work, and should we give it a chance?

Over the past few months, I have attended a number of meetings regarding the new push to take wildlife management units 7F, 7J and 7H and restrict the size of antlered bucks which can be harvested.

The bottom line is to allow hunters to harvest one antlered buck with a spread over 15 inches, per season, with an exception for youth hunters.

The doe tags will vary according to the DECs surveys and harvest recommendations.

The meeting at the Bass Pro Shops in Auburn proved to be interesting to say the least.

I believe personally that this program can work, but we need the input and energy from all factions.

The opposition has some valid points and should not be looked down upon.

We as sportsmen and women have an obligation to pass to our children a legacy of good sound management practices with healthy game populations.

There is not a sportsperson alive who does not enjoy seeing or harvesting a great buck.

To do this, it will take a little sacrifice, and we must get past our personal greed to let this happen.

To make this work for all, I feel a panel should be formed from the following groups, with a maximum number of four individuals representing each faction.

1. Opposition members

2. Quality deer management

3. Sportsmen proposing this program

4. DEC biologists

5. Outside professionals in deer biology and habitat.

These individuals, that each group would pick, must have the ability to look at both sides of the picture and professionally put together a package for the sportsmen and women of the three management units.

This program should be given a three-year run, after which this panel should revaluate its merits and demerits.

If it is determined that it cannot make the grade, then revert back to the old management practices.

By using a method of this nature, we are accomplishing a number of things to teach our children.

1. How adults can work with one another to attain a goal, a trait they will at some point need.

2. Greed and selfishness do not lend themselves to progress.

3. If we really have a passion for the outdoors, and respect what God gave us, we need to manage our resources for the generations to come, and sometimes this means a little sacrifice.

4. Vision --- This is what our forefathers had and this is what made our country great.

Vision is what we need to keep our wildlife populations and sport healthy.