Its the first day of buck hunting here in Pa. I have the pleasure of hunting with my 13 year old grand daughter, who last year shot a 11 point the first morning.
A good many years ago the game commission placed antler restrictions, which a buck had to have 4 on a side. Then due to many complaints from hunters, they made it 3 up, saying that like 80% of bucks had a brow tine if one side had 3 points. The idea I believe from the game commission was to have a state that grew bigger bucks and would spur more interest from out of state hunters. In turn they make more money from non resident license sales. Everything they do is geared to making money like having the first day on Saturday instead of Monday, and also Sunday hunting now. I don't think none of it has worked. Not many hunters anymore, due to younger people not doing it, and older folks either losing interest or just to old to hunt.
When I was younger a spike in this area was a rarity. Now seeing quite a few spikes. Started to see this about five years after the antler restrictions started. Used to be an 18 month old buck around here had 6 to 8 points. Now lots of scrubbing looking buck. The antler restrictions didn't improve the size of bucks in my area. Not many does getting shot, and young bucks with pour genes are breeding, because they are not getting shot.
This is my 54th year of deer season without missing a first day. I certainly don't have the interest as much as I did when younger. The first day of buck season used to be bigger than Christmas morning. I remember my dad saying. When they made the antler restrictions, it took the fun out of hunting, which I find to be true.
