Trying to see what you guys think. We have a 13 inch antler restriction so he has to be 13 inches or wider. I seen him last year and he looked almost the same except this year he is a little taller. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
That is a flat dumb restriction. This buck only has a 13 3/8" inside spread for comparison. FYI, he grossed 149 1/8". I don't see how inside spread has anything to do with a bucks maturity. I don't know how they expect someone to judge inside spread on the hoof.
I agree with Skywalker, it's an ignorant restriction. I also have a 13+" wide buck on the wall that grossed 168". A width restriction is completely arbitrary. The argument against age restriction has always been that hunters can't be expected to accurately judge age on the hoof...I don't see how antler width is any different. Point restrictions are also poor but at least anyone that can count can manage to count tines on one side of a rack. Hunters can't exactly walk up to a deer on the hoof and stick a tape to the spread...anything else is a guess. The guy that came up with that one must be a real wanker. I'd say that buck is legal but like I said it's purely a guess.
He will be close but I think he will make 13 inches. Where at in north Texas are you?? I'm in north east in Bowie county. I have the same antler restriction Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I remember when you shot that buck and that I asked how wide he is because of our 13 inch spread rule. It is definitely nuts. I have talked with several local game wardens ( as I am trying to become a game warden, and I have interned with the game wardens) the game wardens are pretty lenient on the rule. As long as it isn't a blatant misjudgment like a 10 inch deer then they let it pass. Normally just write a warning so it is documented. Last year, we drove to a deer processor and measured deer, one measured 12.5 and he let it pass because it was a mature deer Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I will say, after shooting my buck yesterday, which I thought was a 13 inch spread and wasn't, I do not think this buck will have a 13 inch spread. It is definitely a dandy buck though! Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
How can people be smart enough to have an antler restriction and be dumb enough to come up with that one? There are some B&C deer walking around with spreads under 13" and probably tons of mature P&Y caliber deer. Just silly. Yes I think that deer is about 14" inside and a nice one. Choot im.
So what do you do when that happens call the dnr and forfeit your deer or do you get fined or what is the rules?
I called the game warden and let him know. He asked for pictures and what the inside spread measured. I sent the trail cam photo and my photo with him. He said he was a great buck and that I should enjoy him. Meaning I was in the clear. My buck measured 12.5 inches. I do imagine, if the buck was really little. Say 10 or 11 inches, he would have come and confiscated the deer. Then wrote either a warning or a ticket depending on the situation. It probably also made a difference that I called them telling them that he was a little short instead of them finding me with a small deer. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I figured if you called and were close they would give you one break. Probably not a second time, It is kind of ridiculous to have a certain measurement to go off of. I am more of a fan of Point restrictions if they are going to restrict antlers. at least then you know for sure
It is definitely hard to judge width while they are coming in lol Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
That's the thing. Sometimes they don't give you the kind of time you would need to make a good decision. Antler points is a little easier, but could still be tough at times.
Absolutely, I saw my bucks fine length and thought he was a good buck. Then when I stopped him, I looked just briefly at the antlers to see if he was ear wide and he was so I let it fly. But it definitely is a toss up. I wish they would go to a 4 point rule on one side. So any 8 point is legal but they won't do it Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
This guy was 15” but went 177”. Width is just a measurement of air. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
