Antler Restrictions for 2009 Deer Season

[dbgun]

Well it finally happened to us. This year our county (Roberston) will have the 13" rule in place. Has anybody on TGT, been under this rule for any amount of time? Or maybe you know of someone who's hunting property has had to comply with this rule. I'm tring to get some first hand experience with this antler restriction rule.

Personally I don't have a problem with it. I'd shoot a hog a lot quicker than I would a deer. Besides, I think I have more fun getting ready for deer season and the laughs I have with my friends in camp, then actually shooting an animal.

 

[JKTex]

It's usually for good reason so I'd be glad they're something being done about population control, in both directions.

I grew up knowing you'd better see at least 4 tines and be clear they're big enough before you ever even think about raising your gun. Many years later, you could buy doe permits which seemed really strange.

 

[Hoji]

Not that big a deal really. General rule is if they extend beyond the ears you are ok. I dont hunt antlers anyway. They dont taste very good and are kind of tough.

 

[Boxer99]

I just hunted in Robertson County. My buddy shot a very nice 8-point that was much bigger than all the other bucks we saw. When he measured the inside spread, it was 3/8" over the minimum. I would say be very careful before squeezing the trigger on a buck. Most of the deer in the area, even in the racks looks good, are smaller than what a ruler would show.
I don't like the new rule. I agree that most bucks in the county are being shot before they can mature, but this new rule means you have to guess on 13" at 80 to 200 yards. It's impossible. The "look at the size of the ears" test is not bad, but I guarantee that it's not perfect. The deer in the county are just not that big--you can meet the ears test and still end up shooting an illegal deer. In my humble opinion, they need a more objective test: you look at a deer, and he either makes it or not. This business about guesstimating is bad.
If people comply, it should produce higher quality deer though, after a few years.

 

[surfcowboy]

Hey Guys

I'm new to the site. I just heard about this new law from another fourm mainly for fishing. I'm getting ready to come back from Iraq. I get to hunt the last week of hunting season. the deer don't seem to be that big in brazos county. well at least the ones I have seen. I also have done alot of public land hunting up around lake limestone. I have only seen a limited amount of deer there. But it could have changed since i haven't hunted there in 5 years. Well I hope this helps make bigger bucks.

I did wounder about a few things though. I have seen a few spikes well i don't know if they are spikes since one of the deer had 20 points but the antlers branched like nomral. Dose that still count as a spike?

 

[Hoji]

Hey Guys

I'm new to the site. I just heard about this new law from another fourm mainly for fishing. I'm getting ready to come back from Iraq. I get to hunt the last week of hunting season. the deer don't seem to be that big in brazos county. well at least the ones I have seen. I also have done alot of public land hunting up around lake limestone. I have only seen a limited amount of deer there. But it could have changed since i haven't hunted there in 5 years. Well I hope this helps make bigger bucks.

I did wounder about a few things though. I have seen a few spikes well i don't know if they are spikes since one of the deer had 20 points but the antlers branched like nomral. Dose that still count as a spike?

If at least one antler is unbranched, it is a spike.

 

[mightyp]

we've had it marion cty for awhile, just got it in stephens cty, doesn't really bother me, if you want meat shoot a doe, if you want a trophy shoot a big buck, let the little guys go.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Yeah...until you start runnin' a bunch of cull bucks in the herd. You won't be able to shoot 'em - and guess which ones are going to breed the does?

 

[thorkyl]

Here is the info from the outdoor annual
This page explains it all

TPWD: Game Animals, White-tailed and Mule Deer

Brazoria County has been for a long time
I just go for the does since I just want the freezer full

 

[Hoji]

Yeah...until you start runnin' a bunch of cull bucks in the herd. You won't be able to shoot 'em - and guess which ones are going to breed the does?

You can always apply for a Level II MLDP if your numbers get out of hand. No antler restrictions.