Generally speaking, antler restrictions don't work unless you have a plan to protect a buck until it is fully mature. Protecting spikehorns does little but allow the deer to be shot when they are 2 1/2 instead of 1 1/2. I've discussed this topic with our local big game biologist and game warden. The only thing that will result in more mature bucks is to limit the total number of bucks killed and at the same time managing the antlerless deer so that the buck to doe ratio is in balance with the habitat.

Limiting the number of bucks killed can be accomplished several ways, but most hunters don't like those options. You can shorten the rifle season. You can change the season so that the hunting doesn't occur during the rut. You can limit the weapons used (archery, shotgun only, etc. will result in fewer bucks killed than if scoped rifles are used). You can have a permit system (X number of buck tags sold per management unit). These are just some of the ways to improve the age structure of a herd and balance the buck to doe ratio.

Another thing that can be done is to set up "trophy" areas in certainhunting districtsof a state. That way "meat hunters" can still do their thing and those hunters who prefer hunting for mature bucks will have that opportunity. Thedifficult part is getting hunters and the F&G departments to buy into such a plan. There are a few districts in Montana managed for big Mule Deer and for elk. Tags are limited and issued on a draw basis. It's hard to get a tag for these areas, but if you get lucky and draw one you have an opportunity at a very large buck or bull.

With all the deer in Montana, hunters can still only shoot one buck per year. Antlerless tags are issued in each hunting district based on the deer population. Some states allow hunters to shoot several bucks and those states rarely produce large bucks.

There are ways to manage a herd within any state for both quality and quantity, but it takes a lot of PR......getting it done isn't easy.