Guys, give your thoughts on what you feel would be best to make us all happy, and to make the herd healthier with bigger bucks
I like the sound of two, and make a third tag available for purchase...a "quality" buck tag like Delaware has.*One (or two if necessary) buck(s) per hunter/per year.
Bad idea, the zones are already small enough that you can't hunt down the street in most places without buying another permit. I have one place I'm allowed to hunt that is split by two zones. To hunt the whole property I have access to, I need to buy two permits. That is just plain ridiculous.*Manage the zones more precisely by using the smaller sub-zones.
I'd like to see hunters get one "any buck" tag, again, like Delaware. Hunters and biologists alike are coming to the realization that antler point restrictions are not all they were cracked up to be. For more on that read the latest issue of Deer and Deer Hunting magazine. On principle, I disagree with a mandatory statewide point restriction.*Statewide Antler Restrictions (3 pts per side)
You could even designate a few small areas (4 pts per side)(Like PA)
I agree there.*Keep EAB & BAD where necessary
I agree there too, but the problem is, who is going to say herds need to be increased? Right now, the state is in either reduce, or maintain herd levels mode, so it's not likely they would do this. The best way to increase populations without turning away hunters is too limit the number of tags and gun days.*Limit or deny access to areas where the deer herd needs to be increased. (this would more than likely only be necessary for about a year, deer populations explode quickly)
[up][up][up]*Plant more crops on WMA's, huntable state lands, etc.
Good one, the Division working with UBNJ is getting this done.*Open more lands to bowhunters in areas where deer pops. are a problem.
[up][up][up]*Decrease the safety zone for bowhunters.
[down][down][down][down][sad]*Make six-day into a two week firearm season as long as antler restrictions are in place. (one buck with three pts on one side, unless you used your buck tag already, then you can not hunt)
you need a cop around to arrest these jerks...hint hint6 days is plenty for Slobgun...I also have to much aggrivation keeping people off my land!
Most states, you can only take one buck per year, no matter what season you get it in. You all have been spoiled by the NJ laws for deer hunting!!!!! You mean to tell me you NEED to take more than 1 buck??? if you take one buck per year, and have antler restrictions statewide, YOU WILL SEE A DIFFERENCE!!!! Take it from me, since I come from PA have seen it my whole life!!!!If I can only shoot one buck and I do it with the bow then I am done for the season.
Iowa residents are allowed 3 bucks, Illinios 2 bucks. Ohio is a one buck state, but they have a bunch more hunters than Iowa, so it needs to be more limited. The reason it works is the timing of the gun season, and the length of it...meaning very short gun seasons.But the problem here in NJ and with most of the hunters here, is they can't just be satisfied with one Buck per year!!!!! they need one during archery, one during shotgun, one during muzzy, one during grandmothers day, etc, etc!!!! Not trying to cause a problem, but almost all replies haven been 2 or more Bucks!!!! you really need that many bucks!! shot does!!!
I like the idea of rotating out firearm seasons.*Also Bow only zones should be included on a seasonal rotation. Some areas get 'shot-out' due to fire-arm season. A quota system should 'rotate out' a firearm zone. If deer quota is exceeded during 6-day vs the ratio of archery deer, that zone should rotate out of fire-arm for the next season. (This should apply to certain public lands within the zone and not the entire zone depending on population density.
I think we need to keep this for the shotgun only guys. They will all flip! Plus...the F&W Council will not go for the 1 buck per year thing... yet.... probably because they think the shotgun only guys won't purchase their firearm license (normally these guys just pay the $27.50 and thats it).Two bucks per year (any weapon).