Texas's 13" inside spread rule?
 

The county I hunt in now requires a buck to have a 13 inch inside spread or 1 unbranched antler. This may not sound like a big deal, but when you see heavy antlered 8 and 10pt bucks with 12" spreads year after year its tough.

It seems like we are teaching our kids that if a deer doesn't have big horns then he isn't a trophy. When I was a kid, we were so proud to get a deer. It was an accomplishment, something special! Didn't matter if it was a doe, spike or big buck. I believe in QDM, but allow kids to take that 3 or 4yr old buck without the spread requirement.

Would like to know how all of you feel about this spread requirement?

13" spread
 

I too hunt in Tex., my county will be utilizing the new "antler" rule this coming season. I have mixed emotions about it, I like having my freedom to harvest what I want to, but at the same time I also am growing tired seeing small , young, inferior deer that have potential "if" left alone for a couple of years. I'm willing to give it a try and see how it plays out. It may take 4 to 5 years before we can really see a difference. As far as the kids, I say let them harvest a doe, which can easily be done in youth days or the new "doe days", or even a buck using the criteria. Let's give it a chance and hope for the best, we have no choice now anyway. Good luck this season and God bless.

I think all states should be like arkansas and have the 3 point rule for kids(3 points on one side is a legal kill)my opinion........i really like this rule

I'm with you....
 

I'm with you on this one.....
I hunt in east Texas and we also went to the 13" inside spread rule last year. I passed up a HUGE 9 point this past season season that was a little inside his ears but the rack went straight up and had HEAVY mass. He was obviously an older dear. Sagging belly, thick neck, grey face.....but I didn't shoot because I didn't know if he was a "legal" deer.
I totally understand that the implement the new rule so that people will pass up the little 1 1/2 year old 6 point basket racks and let our bucks grow up develope larger racks, but the inside spread doesn't necessarily dictate how old a deer is.

in Georgia there are counties with a 15" inside spread rule and or 4 points on one side.

I like the 3pt or 4pt rule on 1 side, I have several friends that hunt Arkansas with 3pt rule. They have seen tremendous success with the rule and are killing good mature bucks. Just don't like telling my 6 yr old he cant shoot 8pts like the 2 his older brother has on the wall because they aren't 13" wide. Both big heavy bucks but 12.5" wide.

Bad Law!! If it isn't 13", how many do you think will be left in the woods to rot, Instead of paying the fine and community service! A Lot!!

what a crazy rule???? How do you know if it is 13"? The deer isnt going to let you measure first. I say you will have alot of yote food laying out there.

I don't normally hunt in Texas but as stated earlier there are some places in Georgia that have a 15" rule. It is not that hard to determine if the buck meets the inch requirements. For the most part you just have to make sure that the antlers are outside of the ears and you will be fine.
I can't say that I have noticed an abundance (or any) of deer being shot that were below these requirements.

it all comes back the hunt industry and that trophy buck BULL$$$$ that they have been forceing on us for years. to many stupid hunting shows showing the killing of big bucks.

you should be able kill any size animal you want,and i would if it was on my land. teach a kid how to be a good hunter and to use every part of what he kills. then let him grow up hunting and decide if he wants to be a trophy hunter or not. i know plenty of adults that are very happy killing spike and fork horns. that there choice ,they pay to hunt just like me. in my area just about everyone still eats what they kill instead of giving the meat away,most hunt for the food first ,the trophy comes second.

I remember years ago a man that had hunted for about 15 years and had killed ONE four point. The man couldn't see very well and was not able to climb or walk a long way. He was happier over that four point than any of the "pros" on TV shooting a 150 Iowa monster. In most of Alabama and a lot of other states the deer are over populated. I see no reason for those types of restrictions. To say that a 4 or so point will be a "trophy" at the age or 5 or 6 is a guess. A lot of bucks in our area won't ever be a 120 or better. Don't have the genetics, natural minerals in the soil and they can die of a lot of reasons before they reach the older ages. One mans cull can be a kid's or older person's trophy.

In south Texas, the average inside spread on a deer would prob be around 17 to 19", but in northeast Texas 15 to 16" buck is a good buck. I dont mind the rule concerning adults, but to make a kid pass on his 1st 8pt cuz it might be shy of the spread is insane. Its very difficult to judge spread width on a broadside deer at 150yrds, I dont care how many you have shot.

Take your kids hunting to preserve the sport.

Thanks guys :patriot:

there will be a lot of ground checking from now on. in the thickets of east texas a long quick shot at 50 yards might be the only shot you get

My only problem with using inside spread as a tool for buck management is that not all deer will grow a rack with an insside spread of 13" ,what I mean is that age should be the determining factor in what to shoot and who says a five year deer can't have a rack with less than a 13" spread,in my opion it is another case of the few people with power and money dictating to the others what to do,when it should be put to a public vote especially when it comes to hunting on public land or concerns the generla public,privite clubs and landowners can already impliment whatever type og management program they want anyway.

I am not a trophy hunter, and was disappointed when the three-point rule went into effect in Arkansas; however, it has improved the size of racks I see on public land, and I killed two legal bucks last year.

As for youths, I don't think antler restrictions apply in Arkansas to anyone 15 or younger. They can drop a spike if they want, as it should be. I still have my first antlers, with the tag attached. Now they look dinky, but back then I thought I had accomplished the impossible.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong on the youth regs for Arkansas.

My problem with it is that it seems to be "managing" for narrower spreads. Guys will end up shooting younger 14" wide bucks, that might grow to 16 or 18 or 20" wide over the coming years, and letting mature 12" wide bucks go, to mate and spread their narrow genes.

ipsc..
That is a pretty 10 point in your avatar, but it is a good example of how somebody would have a decision to make. If you go by the ears rule for 13 inches, your pretty 10 point would create a dilemma in shadows of my thick woods. I realize the picture may not do the buck justice, but it looks borderline and I don't like breaking the law. I would hope my decision would be cut and dry. On a personal level, I don't mind the rule, but I don't know if it is right to force it on everybody, especially when a lot of people have little time to hunt, and have spent the money to do so. I have seen some tall heavy racks around here that may or may not be much wider than the ears.

If I was a buck, I would prefer a heavy, tall and narrow rack, and a well supplied harem of alternating estrus does. I could produce a family of untouchables.

C. Davis