Stupid deer question (Texas)

[client32]

The hunting regulations list antler restrictions for certain counties.

Am I correct in assuming that any buck, no matter the antler size, is legal in counties not mentioned?

I am trying to prepare myself for next year.

Thanks.

 

[hobbeeman]

That is how I read the regulations. A deer of any size antler is legal in any of the counties not listed in the reg. booklet.

 

[Newt]

That's the way it is around here. Arkansas G&F regulation booklet is worded so that their rules are hard to understand sometimes. Every year when it comes out, there's speculation as to what this rule or that rule means. Why can't they just put it in layman terms?

 

[Sharps Shooter]

Here, "antlered only" means forked (2-points) or better on one side when it comes to deer. For elk, "antlered only" means the antlers have to be taller than its ears. But there are hunting areas in the state where the number of points on one side a legal deer has to have is specified - "4-points or greater, 2-points or less, etc.

 

[slugcatcher]

Yes.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/media/outdoor_annual_2005_2006.pdf

From the 2005-06 annual:

A “buck deer” is a deer with a hardened antler protruding through the skin. A “spike buck deer” is a BUCK with no antler having a fork or branching point. ALL OTHER DEER ARE ANTLERLESS DEER.

SPECIAL ANTLER RESTRICTIONS:
• In Austin, Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, Victoria, Waller, Washington, Wharton, and Wilson counties, there are special regulations for buck deer. In these counties, the bag limit is two legal bucks, but only ONE may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. A legal buck deer is defined as having:
• a hardened antler protruding through the skin AND;
• at least one unbranched antler; OR
• an inside spread measurement between main beams of 13 inches or greater.
• To determine if a buck has an inside spread measurement of at least
13 inches, look at the distance from ear-tip to ear-tip on a buck with ears
in the alert position (see illustration).
• Definition of a point: A point is a projection that extends at least one
inch from the edge of a main beam or another tine. The tip of the main
beam is also a point.
• Does not apply on Level 2 or 3 MLDP properties.

 

[client32]

Thanks for the info.

I haven't ever had the chance for deer in TX, so I just read through the guide about deer for the first time.

hobbeeman:
Where do you go hunting around Amarillo?

p.s. Pheasant season starts tomorrow!!!

 

[hobbeeman]

I bought a Texas public land permit. That gives access to several places in West Texas for small game, and in Central and East Texas for large game. I recieved a one day lease from my wife for turkey and deer for my birthday, and got one deer myself and one by my son (12 ) on that day. That was in Wellington. Some people go to the Canadian River or the Red River, but tales of crowded/unsafe hunting are prevalent. There are places to go, but the best bet is to go with someone that has gone before. I am looking for someone to take me out on the rivers and show me the ropes. The stories that I hear are about angry property owners trying to handcuff folks that they say are trespassing! The way the laws have been changing lately, it is almost impossible to keep up and stay out of trouble:banghead:

If you are interested in leases, some of the best ones in the state, arguably, are around Childress, Tx,
2hrs from Amarillo. They are about $1500/gun/season

 

[client32]

I have heard of the crowded and unsafe hunting on the river bed as well. I have heard that the archery season was better though. I guess fewer people.

I was thinking at trying my hand at archery around Meredith.