We sound alot alike, I deer hunt for the enjoyment of it, antlers are just a plus.
I spoke with the state biologist before the OBR was put into effect. He stated it has never been proven to "work" anywhere it's been implemented. A hunter will pass that "smaller" buck early in the season, but would take it later in ML season. In other words a wash.
I agree with Willie about the TBR trial. It really cannot be proven the OBR is the reason some might be seeing more mature bucks. Could it possibly be that a percentage of hunters have matured and moved beyond the antler thing to simply enjoying the chance to be out in the woods?
We were asked to try the OBR almost ten years ago. What's wrong with a 2-3 year trial of a TBR? I contend some do not want it possibly proven the OBR is NOT the reason there are more mature bucks. It would not fit their agenda.
I guess for me, I would be scared we would back track. Its taken 9 years of the OBR to really prove itself. I believe it has. If we were to try the TBR, after 3 years it seems to me it would be difficult to recover to the "more mature" bucks. It may take aanother 9yrs to get back after a 3yr failure? Its not about the bone really but about the size. It seems like the basic basket rack weighs in at 130ish field dressed that is. One of the bucks on my wall weighed 226#Fd, thats 100lbs more than a basket rack. Now it seems like if you are truly a meat hunter, than the OBR would be the true method of growing larger deer.
The does now seem like they weigh in the 100lb FD range, I have a trophy, for a doe contest that weighed 160#FD 15+yrs ago, I killed many does in the 140 range with a bow. As a hunter that spends a lot of time in the field, I don't see those does anymore. I see 100lb does with yearlings, and its not for lack of food, they are surrounded by 1000's of acres of beans and corn, its because our Doe program doesnt work. I don't want more does, and more butcher fees, I want 1 bigger doe and cut down on fees. I am a lifetime license holder, if its fees DNR wants, I'll donate the $50. Just fix the program.