RE: antler restrictions in texas...
The antler restrictions are a 2-edged sword.
I've seen 2 1/2 yr old bucks that would be legal, because of theirspreadbut they in no way needed to be shot.
On the other hand I've seen mature bucks with a lot of mass and tine length but without the 13" spread that would make them legal. I don't think that the restrictions alone are enough to make a difference. There needs to be some serious education on age judgement, improvement on nutrition and habitat, and more does allowed to be shot.