I don't mean to get a war started on this topic, but for you guys that are in these type counties, is the TPW program working???? Anyone have an actual clue as to how long they have been implemeted???? I just don't seem to see any difference in antler size that is proving to me it is working, unless it has not be given ample time to work. Your opions???

they stink and the people who enforced them are clueless as to what it takes to grow "horns".

I am thinking they started about five or six years in central Texas and TPWD claimed it worked in that area so they expanded them

LOve them..... Love this place, love this job, love this loving old truck that keeps breaking loving down...

www.antlerrestrictionssuck.com

Here is the history of AR, you decide

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/game_management/deer/antler_restrictions/

Yes, they are working, and no I'm not being biased. I live and hunt in one of the first counties that were experimental and yes, it took a few years 2-4 years to see the difference and impact it has on the bucks.

You could not find a buck with antlers no more than the size of your hand with both thumbs overlapping. Once implemented, we were still a 1 buck county as the other 5 counties and hunters were NOT going to use that tag on anything other than either a buck with 6 points on one side (that was a little off if you asked me), 13" inside spread or greater or an unbranched antler on at least one side. The 6 point on one side was thrown out after the first year or two.

Sure, residents sat and saw numerous bucks that could have been shot the previous years and the majority of those were 1.5-2.5 yrs old, but as time went on for a couple 2-3 seasons, residents and hunters in those counties were seeing bucks that had better antler growth, better body mass and older due to letting them walk. They do work, but it will take some time for them to work.

That's one version of it. And with the right statistics you can prove anything. Nice colorful charts.

That is based on voluntary information at check stations. There were no check stations in Red River, Lamar, or Fannin Counties. Most of the check stations were on government land.

Here's a breakthrough... "The statewide harvest data indicates that 95% of all deer with at least 1 unbranched antler have less than a total of 4 points." Really, would have never guessed that.

Oh, and the 2nd tag increased spike harvest? Really? Wow.

"Therefore, the regulation was modified (adding a second buck to the bag, which must be restricted to a buck with at least 1 unbranched antler) to allow more hunting opportunity while minimizing the risk of high-grading. As a result, the incidence of "spikes" in the harvest increased slightly as expected."

And another burst of light....
Hunters are correct when they say there are some "narrow-rack" older bucks out there. They are also right when they say a portion of them will be protected under this strategy, which is not desirable.

Here's their three goals:
" The primary goals of the experimental antler-restriction regulation were:

1. Improve the age structure of the buck herd;
2. Increase hunter opportunity; and
3. Encourage landowners and hunters to become more actively involved in better habitat management."

1. OK, the basket racks we see are getting older.
2. Opportunity? Nope, fewer deer, fewer legal deer.
3. Spend more time effort and money to attract fewer and fewer deer? Nope, doesn't work that way.

For us, they don't seem to be working, in fact, they seem to hurt. If they work for you, congratulations.



They'll be glad to give you the company mantra, but the raw data is top secret and expensive.

Yes they work.It makes you think twice before shooting.Deer are getting older.

I'de be willing to be the majority of the raw data comes from properties required to send in harvest data, where ARs aren't exactly the criteria for pulling the trigger.

They seem to be working at my place. The first 2 years I was here I never saw a deer older than about 2.5, now I am passing on 3.5 year old deer. Never even got pics of older deer 3 years ago, now I am getting them everyday.

It works, and like it's been said you have to give it time, and not just one or two seasons.

Those that say it doesn't work have other issues that AR's will not fix period.

It worked at our place in Fayette county. We used to see just a few deer a year on this place. Now we have pictures of some decent 8 and 10 pointers.

It's not perfect, hence you have the option to get a MLD permit. However, it keeps the local bubbas from shooting anything and everything.

They suck and aint working in hopkins co. This is our 4th year and i see fewer deer, bucks or does than in the 24yrs i have lived there. With the increased harvest of 4 deer instead of 1 buck only and doe only in archery season. WAY too many deer are being taken for any improvement in numbers or size. My opinion is TPWD has there head up there butts. JMO.

doesnt change to much for me. my lease requires a 14" spread which can be misleading sometimes just like the ar's. they are pretty strict on there policy and if you shoot a buck under 14" your gunna get a fine no matter how old that buck is. it could be a 13" buck thats 6.5 yrs old and my leae will still fine you. kind of dumb, i know.

Some of the places had no problem before they implemented them... now there are no deer! How can that be "Other Problems"?

Our numbers have increased, but we were in a Wildlife CO-OP not AR's that said, we had doe permits and could kill no bucks for 3 years and select 5 year olds for the next two and now we look at 5.5 year old deer, Madison just started AR this year, I dont think there will be a problem as it really doesnt change anything for us...then again, if I see a cull and its less than 13, i'd prolly pop him....and take the risk and plead my case...

Yes they seem to be working in my neck of the woods, bosque/coryell counties. We are going into the 4th year under them, the biggest change I have noticed is an increase in the buck population especially young bucks. The buck doe ration is really close to 50/50 now. We are seeing more bigger bucks being killed than before but not a ton more. This year it was nice to see a young 9 pointer (with lots of potential) in a bachlor group of the young bucks opening day of bow season, this had never happened before, because that nine point would have been popped the season before when he was probably a little six point.

It odd just how many I've seen on here that would commit a game violation and they KNOW the law or is the regulation only for a few of those in the general public? No different than stealing from a grocery store or bank in my opinion.

I know, and then they wonder why the antler restrictions aren't working and they are seeing fewer deer than ever in their neck of the woods.

seem to work for me. expecially in lavaca county which was one of the first few to have em. they are also working very well in victoria county from what i can tell, and they are also working well in dewitt, but ive seen beter results at the other two places as for seeing better deer than before the ARs. i cant say much for gonzales co. havent seen much change there.

And there you have it! The very ESSENCE of reasoning behind AR's.
Protect those potential TROPHIES from being taken by some "local bubba"
i.e. a person that actually LIVES IN THE AREA so that it can be
"managed" by an Armchair Wildlife Biologist that drives in on the
weekend to sit and watch a feeder so as to have something to hang on the wall.

Its sad but, hey man you gotta pay to play nowadays. It ain't your daddy's deer huntin anymore, the whitetail in texas is now big business.

The best thing TP and W could have done was come right out and say they are trying to grow bigger antlers,PERIOD..This BS about improving the age structure of the deer herd is crap...I would bet that there are more 1.5 year old deer killed every year in Llano,Mason,and Gillespie counties and have yet to be introduced to antler restrictions..So why not "improve" the age structure there as well...

Paying to do anything is understood here
so that is not the issue. The issue is
our states wildlife dept restricting bag limits
using antler size as it's guidelines.
My daddy hardly ever hunted as an adult as he
grew up a subsistance hunter, a lifestyle that
is being regulated out of existance.

I love them!!!!!! They let the deer get age on them. When the guys gripe about a 2 1/2 year old cull, your doing something alot more wrong if he is breeding your does. I have seen more 3 1/2 year olds and up than I have ever seen in my life in the last couple of years.