Chad Stewart
Quote
Stewart emphasized that reducing the deer population to a more balanced level has been the DNR’s goal in recent years. Changes to hunting regulations that went into effect in 2012 were geared toward that goal. The changes included extending archery season, allowing crossbows for all archery hunters and creating a “license bundle” that saved hunters money.

“A reduced deer harvest would mean we are making progress,” Stewart said.
If people would spend more time looking up the numbers and less time arguing on a forum they might find some interesting facts.......

In the 2011 season there were 129,000 deer harvested. 51,000 of those deer were antlered bucks which accounted for 39% of the total harvest. 78,000 of those deer were antler less deer which accounted for 61% of the total harvest.

In the 2012 season there were 136,000 deer harvested. 46,000 of those deer were antlered bucks which accounted for 34% of the total harvest. 90,000 antler less deer were harvested which accounts for 66% of the total harvest.

Compare the two years and you will see that 5,000 FEWER antlered bucks were killed during the first year of the new regs as compared with the season before.

5K fewer bucks killed in the first season of the new regs. 34% of the total harvest were antlered bucks and 66% of the total were antlerless deer.

Kinda the point of the plan wasn't it......