Is this buck legal?

I know it's hard to say from just a picture, but I thought I'd check with the more experienced of you in here. There's an extremely low population of deer at our lease and this is likely the last season we'll have on it, otherwise I'd wait until next year to take this guy. He looks to be 13" or greater, right?

No he doesn’t and he’s the type of deer the law was made to protect.

pass

Horns are outside the ears. Looks young but legal to me, if only by a hair.

That's a bad angle to call it from-he's not looking directly at the camera. IMO he's going to be between 12 1/2 and 13 1/2, the question is where. I'd look at him really hard before you pull the trigger. Bucks travel a lot during the rut, you never know what else may show up.

Legal, maybe. Ethical, no.

Maybe with different angle, but very marginal. Pass.

Because it's too close to call?

I appreciate the advice. I'll pass on him and let someone else on the lease take the risk. Hopefully we can stay on for another year and this guy gets a bigger rack.

Very close, might be too close to chance it, and like said earlier he looks pretty young.

To close to call. Game Warden told me If you have to question it don’t shoot it. Been there done that.

X2

Nope

He's definitely legal. Pop him.

Nope wait for what shows up later in the season

Yeah, I would wait. Just because you don't have a picture of a better buck on camera, doesn't mean there isn't one out there. I have seen 5 bucks, good bucks, this year that are not on any of our cameras... When the rut kicks in, the bucks will travel from miles away to look for available does.. Have patience and optimism..

Way to close to take the chance.

I'd let pass, looks young, too early season, you never know what you will see next time. Hold off til rut starts in your area.

I don't know your hunting past/ background or anything like that but if he's a trophy to you bust him! He looks young to me but I think he is legal deer. Do what your gut tells you. I know when I see one instantly if I would like a chance at him or not. Good luck!

I'll almost bet you will have done new bucks moving through. Lots of season left!

hopefully he means cuz its to young

but legal is legal and law is the law... a grown man has a thing called choice... make it on your best judgment... but own it if your wrong don't blame others

That's exactly what I meant. Kind of.

However, I agree with the doctrine of "if you like him and he's legal, by all means you should take him."

Back to the 'kind of'. While this won't sit right with a bunch of you, I couldn't kill an immature to middle-aged deer that I would hold until next year, just because I knew I wouldn't be back.

To the OP, just because I feel that way doesn't mean you should. You paid your money. Do what works for you

Id pass for sure

Eww, no! I saw him cross the border back in September. He had a backpack on and had some company.

wth?

Hmmmm no

I'm sure all these guys telling you to pop him will gladly take up a collection to pay your fine.
Believe that, and there is ocean front property in Arizona they are selling cheap.

I always tell my wife and kids, "if his antlers are close enough to question whether he's legal, or not, let him walk."

I'd pass on him

If you have to second guess, the answer is no.

Border line legal I wouldn't risk it.

But someine using the word ethical because he is young.... Well that's a load of

The bottom line is it's your finger on the trigger and your call. If you have to ask someone else then your instinct has already spoken to you.....he looks pretty small

I wouldn't take it. May make it but too close for me.

I had to Reread the OP after seeing that comment. What Fouzman was saying is that just because the OP may not be on the lease next year doesn't mean he should kill a deer that he otherwise would pass on.