How long can an antler be and still be considered an antlerless deer? I hunt in South Dakota and some people here say if it is shorter then the ear. Some say anything 3 inches long or shorter. Let me know where you live and what it is in your area.

Where I hunt, Ohio and PA, antlerless is considered 3" or shorter. Shorter than the ear may be just how they judge it in the field. If I can see horns, It's not getting shot as an antlerless.
-Jake

here i think it's 7/8"..basically, if yer weddin band will hang on it ..it counts

In NY a legally antlered deer must have at least one antler that is three inches or longer measured from the base of the burr. I tried to look it up on google for South Dakota but interestingly its not in the .pdf file containing their regs.

Less than 3" here in Ohio!!!!!

In Texas if it is hard and protruding from the skin it is a antlered deer, but we have a spike/antlerless only season so it isn't a big deal if it is sticking out just so long as it does not branch.

What do your regs. say?

It's different, from state to state. What the regs. are elsewhere is useless to you.

Doe even have to be considered under antler restrictions in Michigan.

Hunt in SD as well. From what I understood if it has visible antler it wouldn't fall under your antlerless tag. I checked the rule book and there was no definition given. The fail safe would be call your local conservation officer and find out for sure.

well...1 side can branch...3 points and less.(less includes antlerless)