do you think the 13 inch rule is working ? do you see more big bucks now that the 13 inch rule has been in effect what 3 years now ? Do you see more or less deer than you did 3 years ago ?

I think its a good idea, stops folks from just shooting whatever comes out...and no, we are still building our herd..but its looking better

I think the 13 inch rule is a good idea. Where we hunt this is the first year with the AR so we cant see a difference yet

I like the 13-inch rule. The "no-doe" rule is what I can't figure out.

I think we are finally starting to see a difference on my place. We have shot 2 8 points and one 12 point that had split G-1's. Other guys have seen a big 10 pt but haven't gotten a shot at it.

My dad has hunted this property since the mid 80's and I think the last 10 pt was shot in 93.

I have mixed feeling about about the 13" rule. This is the first year it has been in effect for Parker and Wise County where I hunt. I realize that most deer harvested are 1 1/2 years old and wearing their first set of antlers. By harvesting these young bucks we will never see what their potential could have been. I agree that we should let them grow. In Keith Warren's video Managing for Trophy Whitetails on small property he says that by the time a buck is 2 1/2 years old he should be outside his ears. Im my experience this is rarley so. In 2006 I took a very tall and heavy 8 point that was 4 1/2 and he is only 12" inside. I've never had him scored so I dont know what he measures. A friend on mine says he is probably around 130". So this is the down side of the rule. What about all those bucks that are mature but never make it to 13" inside? To me it seems more logical to age deer on the hoof and harvest mature bucks.

i had a poll about this the other day. about 75% of people that had been under ARs for at least 3 years said that they have seen an improvement in antler size on their deer herd.

This forum is proof positive that hunters can't age deer on the hoof. 13" rule is the remedy for that.

I agree 100%, but I think it will take a while to educate hunters to be able to age on the hoof. Until then, this may be the best start we can hope for. It should let some nice young bucks make it a few years anyway.

I like to shoot the better deer, dont care anything about shootin a 4 or 6 point. I pass alot of deer every year and truthfully the fun part to me anymore is seeing the deer and not shooting them. Dont get me wrong I will still shoot one if it gets me excited, I have killed one this year. I personally dont like the rule because of the kids....awful hard to tell a kid he cant shoot a deer because hes not wide enough. Hard to keep a young hunter interested when he is constantly passing deer only to end up shooting a spike. With that said the kids are probably just as happy with that spike but for me I dont care for it. Also another problem I have already had to deal with is a young hunter on his own and shooting a deer doesnt make 13". Once the deer is shot theres nothing you can do about it. I would like it if the kids could shoot any buck and after a certain age...say 16 then they have to go by the AR. I feel like huntin is gettin so commercialized and its all about how big the horns are instead of what its really meant to be. Let the kids shoot the deer and make the adults use control. Just my 2cents.

Of course there will be some that would use the kids tag to cover their own a$$. Sad but true.

We had a Wildlife guy come in and give us a speech. The reason the AR's were put in place, is because they couldn't believe the 1.5-2.5 yr old deer being shot with small racks. It takes time for it to work, but it is all for the good. It's not what you can do for yourself, but the future hunters of tomorrow.

I think this subject has been beaten to death, but I am for it and I think it does work.

I think only being able to take one big buck is the key. So many would have never taken a spike but now need to if they want the meat. I do however think the spike rule is a little lacking because there a whole lota cull deer that are not legal to shoot now. We actually have more trouble finding legal spike of any size than deer with 13 in spread. there are a ton of 4s, 5s ,6s 7s, and even 8s that should be culled but can't.

duckingarrowthose people are poachers!

The thumbs up was for the quote above it not my statement.
The point of my statement is that there will always be poachers reguardless of what the laws are.

I understand and agree completely.

I agree, it has been beat to death but as most know, I don't like them....because it's all about antlers IMO. Old bucks can and do have narrow racks...oh well.

Or the kids get bored and loose interest.


Or what about the quality YOUNG 2 1/2 yr old 13" buck that gets taken out...?


Out of one side of TPWD mouth comes "too many young bucks being shot".....

Out of the other side of their mouth come "shoot spikes"=YOUNG BUCKS

It's okay to shoot spikes PHishTX, because they embarrass our heards since they are not trophies....

"High fence deer are like fake boobs.....They are nice to look at but I'll take the real thing."

Can't say I've ever gotten in one of those high fences...

Absolutely, no question. Yes, it will sometimes make you nuts that a mature deer has an awesome rack, but doesn't make the spread. However, the overall improvement of the herd and more available quality deer has been evident. We started a self imposed program in 2000. Our buck to doe ratio is getting there, but still a little short of our goal of 2 to 1.

... and yes, this subject has been beaten to death.

ding, ding, ding......I'm sure "antler size" was improved.

So why do you care what people shoot on their own land/lease?

Why would you care if people poached their own land? There are many rules put in place that restrict what can be killed. This is just another one. Why would you care if a guy bought 5 acres next to you and brought everyone he knows to come and kill as many deer as they could?