The effectiveness of antler point restrictions to achieve management goals

Abstract

Stakeholder input is part of the decision-making process in wildlife management but reaching a decision that satisfies everyone may be impractical when stakeholders are divided on a particular issue or regulation. Antler point restrictions for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are intended to protect yearling males from harvest by hunters. Still, stakeholders debate the value of using antler restrictions to achieve harvest goals. In 2013, Michigan implemented antler point restrictions in 12 counties in the northwest area of the state. Using a series of piecewise regressions and annual harvest data from 23 counties in Michigan, we tested the hypotheses that antler point restrictions caused a change in the age structure of harvested male deer (H1), antlerless harvest (H2), and hunter numbers (H3). We found support for H1, but we did not find support for the other hypotheses. Based on our results, antler point restrictions would be a useful tool where the management goal is to advance the age structure of the male segment of the white-tailed deer harvest. However, we found no evidence that implementing antler point restrictions would help managers increase the antlerless harvest or recruit more hunters to the area. Therefore, managers might consider using antler point restrictions to reduce the harvest of yearling males, but these regulations are unlikely to have notable or lasting impacts on antlerless harvest or hunter numbers.