Hunting Regulations: Antler Restrictions - Texas Parks and Wildlife [Official] Video Lecture | Hunter Education: Becoming an Expert Hunter - Hobbies

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In April of 2005
the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Commission
adopted hunting regulations
for some Texas counties
that include antler
restrictions for bucks.
The primary objective
that TPWD hopes to achieve
with this regulation
is to improve the age
structure of the buck herd.
If hunters do not harvest
deer
until they have a 13 inch
inside spread
except for those with
an unbranched antler,
deer can make it into
the older age classes.
This will result in a better
balanced and natural deer herd
with mature bucks doing
most of the breeding.
Properties that have been
issued Level 2 or Level 3
Managed Lands Deer Permits
will be exempt from
this regulation
because they are already
operating
with restrictive
harvest guidelines
as prescribed in their
Wildlife Management Plan.
Basically, this antler restriction
regulation
changes the definition of
a legal buck deer.
With this regulation,
a buck deer
must have a hardened antler
protruding through the skin
and in addition,
a legal buck
must meet 1 of 2
other criteria.
It must have at least 1
unbranched antler
or an inside spread measurement
between main beams
of 13 inches or greater.
We'll run through a series
of sketches
clearly showing each of
the 2 criteria
in the regulation.
This is a legal deer
because it has at least
one unbranched antler.
In fact it has 2
unbranched antlers.
Always be careful to
look for hidden points.
This is a legal deer
because it has at least
1 unbranched antler.
This is a legal deer
because it has an inside
spread of 13 inches or greater.
This deer is not legal
because it meets none
of the criteria.
It should be mentioned here
that a violation of
this regulation
is a Class C Parks & Wildlife
misdemeanor.
Persons convicted of this
violation
are subject to a fine
of up to $500
and restitution for the
illegally taken game.
For clarification,
a point is a projection
that extends at least 1 inch
from the edge of
a main beam
or another tine.
The tip of a main beam
is also a point.
This definition of a point
can be used in determining
a legal deer
when you are looking for a buck
with an unbranched antler.
The second criteria
requires that the hunter be able
to estimate the inside spread
between the main beams.
This is what concerns
hunters most
being able to determine
if a deer has a 13 inch
inside spread.
and that is much of what
this video
is intended to accomplish.
In essence, all buck deer
are carrying a measuring
stick on their head.
This slide shows a deer
that has exactly a 13 inch
inside spread.
Additionally, you can tell from
the lines that are inserted
that the eartip to
eartip width
is also 13 inches.
Hunters can utilize
this guide
if they are able to
view the buck
with the ears in the
alert position
looking toward them.
An essential tool for
determing antler spread
is a good set of binoculars,
a spotting scope,
or at the very least,
a good rifle scope.
Good optics can help
a hunter see
what the naked eye can't.
We're going to run through
a series of images
and explain how you would
evaluate each buck.
Please understand that not every
buck
is going to give you a chance
to get a good look.
When in doubt, don't shoot.
This deer is legal
because it has at least 1
unbranched antler.
In fact it has 2 unbranched
antlers.
Remember, you may want to
wait for a side view
to be absolutely sure the antlers
are unbranched.
Here is a sideview of the
same deer.
Notice the sideview is all
that is necessary
to make the call.
The left antler is unbranched.
An unbranched antler
on one side
makes this deer legal.
Same here.
1 unbranched antler makes
this deer legal.
Now we'll look at some animals
that are illegal to shoot.
This deer is possibly unbranched,
but better get a closer look
with binoculars
or a spotting scope.
Optics are needed to see
the points
that make the deer illegal.
Points, in a less than
13 inch spread
make the deer illegal.
But without optics, you
probably couldn't tell.
This deer is illegal.
By using the ears as a guide,
you can tell it obviously
has less
than a 13 inch
inside spread.
Same here.
Branched in less than
a 13 inch spread.
What about this one?
He is a little closer than
the previous two
but looks to be less
than 13 inches wide
judging by the ears.
Better get the binoculars
and get a closer look.
These lines indicate that
the inside spread
is narrower than the
alert ear tips
that is less than
13 inches,
making this deer illegal.
How about this one?
Obviously illegal.
Can you tell from this distance
if this deer is a legal deer?
Better get a closer look.
A closer look through optics
shows points
making this deer illegal.
The deer on the right is
obviously illegal.
The spread is less than
13 inches.
The deer on the left is impossible
to call from this picture
since its ears need to be in
the alert position.
Close...
but the inside spread is
just under 13 inches,
making this deer illegal.
This deer appears close
at first glance.
but the lines indicate the
inside spread
is greater than the ears,
making this deer legal.
Still close but when
in doubt,
don't shoot.
If the ears are not in the
alert forward position,
they can't be used as a judge.
Still too close to call.
Better not shoot under
these circumstances.
Close...
This deer is probably legal
But again, if in doubt
don't shoot.
Let's take a closer look
with binoculars.
What do you think?
Sure, he is legal.
The following deer are legal
but a close call in
some instances.
Once you've learned to
judge antler spread
utilizing the eartip to eartip
technique,
You'll recognize these
deer as legal.
It should be obvious that
this deer is legal.
So is this one.
This deer is legal as well.
Both of these deer are obviously
wider than 13 inches.
This deer is obviously legal.
This is a don't shoot
situation.
Visibility is limited
and it's not a good,
ethical shot.
Never attempt to judge
a deer's spread
when they're walking away.
They usually have their
ears back
so judging antler spead
is impossible.
Here the hunter should
wait for a better view
to determine spread
such as when the deer's looking
directly at the shooter.
At first this deer appears
to be legal
but the hunter should wait
for both ears
to be in the alert position
before making the call.
Based on this view
you cannot make an
informed decision.
You're going to have to
look at deer closely
before deciding to shoot
or not.
Hopefully these examples
will help you determine
what is a legal buck.
Again, the goal of
this regulation
is to improve the age structure
of the buck herd.
This regulation is not a
cure-all
for deer management problems
in the area.
This regulation will only
allow young bucks to get older.
However, if habitat conditions
are poor,
fawning rates will be low
and there will be few young
bucks to protect.
Areas that have a high
percentage of land
cleared for improved pasture
will see little improvement
because of the low productivity
of these lands.
Landowners that continue to
protect and enhance
native habitats
will reap the rewards of this
regulation
and good management.
You might want to review the
examples
until you feel comfortable judging
deer by these criteria.
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