There are some deer that will never get any better, and allowed to die of old age... But I would still be in favor of ARs

Thats the biggest problem with alot of folks on this forum cause if its working for them and not be for someone else then we are a buch of poachers and bambi killers. We had more deer and more bucks before AR than we do after 5ys of AR restrictions and bag limits. And u can kill 4pts and basket rack 6pts and be perfectly happy with what u have killed! Ask my daughter, and im betting my deseced dad would say the same. Me included. Dont have to have a big set of antlers to stroke me ego.

Anyone think a lot of this could be solved just by allowing kids to kill under 13in bucks on youth weekend?

I think it would pass.

I've had friends who were anti-AR come around in recent years as they are seeing and harvesting more mature bucks every year. As they say, proofs in the pudding.

That would make a world of difference in my mind for sure. It's a sad day when the State of Texas puts antler size above kids in my opinion. And that's exactly what has happened. The majority of AR supporters killed young basket rack deer for their first and were as happy as if it had been a world record. How soon we forget.

What he said.

Before AR's were first adopted, a season never passed when you would not hear someone say that the hunting would never get better until people "stop shooting any buck they see." Antler restrictions have been the best solution yet at making that happen.

I wouldn't be too sure of that. Of course, we'll never know.

AMEN BOWSLAYER! well said and this big rack or nothing is crap. IMO.

What about if the state allowed <13" for bow only, all season...

Happy medium?

I am all for letting bucks grow. I had a bunch of deer that would stay around my land and obviously were noticed by drivers over the years. Now there are people crammed right up on the fences and they shoot everything!!! I wish Oklahoma had antler restrictions.

I like em. I wouldn't want to go up for a vote, in fear they'd be voted down.

Should've made a poll

I would rather see them lift the restrictions on youth weekends than that. I have no interest in shooting a small buck but I also don't believe in forcing my hunting techniques and goals on everyone else.

For those interested here is some AR data and info straight from TPWD:

Antler Restriction Regulation

I hate them. Our genetics are narrow and tall so due to ARs I can't cull the ones I need to. Thus I can only shoot "wide" bucks and I'm left with a bunch of 12" wide 6 point POS bucks. Second, my three year old goes with me and if she decides she wants to shoot one next year I'm not telling her she can't shoot one because it is less than 13". If she is excited about a mature 12.5" wide buck then I'm letting her blast it. I will just pay the dam ticket.

Here's a perfect example of one I can't cull. Don't have pics of the 6s here at work but I have about 3 mature ones this year and none make 13". Mostly descendants of the buck in the second pic. He was the dominant buck in the area and busted the tines off everything else at the feeder. His son is the same way but again he is 12 inches at most. I know they were needed in east Texas but not here.

Although, I believe in democracy, I think biological decisions like ARs, bag limits, and seasons should be determined by biologists, not popular vote.

I think that is one of the best solutions I have read. I think that maybe having it throughout the entire season where kids could take whatever size buck they what.

Glad to see my own County (Austin) was one of the pioneers of this great rule.

It's the thinkers and movers of this world that make it a better place. Thank you, Davy Crockett (big fan of ARs) and Austin County!

In hopkins co. i would support a 1 buck 13in or greater or 1 spike and 1 doe. The 2 bucks and 2 does bag limit is whats killing us. The bag limit now is killing off young bucks and 2yr olds and the does that are making next years crop! No reason for that kind of bag limit in east tx.

It could work but how many ppl would take their kids hunting and if they see a buck they want they shoot it and use their kids tags? There is no way to make everyone happy but I agree with Palehorse as far as let the biologist figure out whats best rather than the majority. In general I think ARs are good but the whole regulation could use an amendment or two.

How many on here still know what a crock is?

I am all for them. The results around us and for those that I know have been very positive. Yeah, there are still the bucks that people really want to shoot that are "protected", but if these folks got together and joined up for MLD they could get back to shooting the bucks that are narrow, never going anywhere, etc.

ARs

AEB its obvious u know nothing about hopkins co. Lived and hunted on same property for 26yrs now so i think that makes me a little more informed than you. PROVE ME WRONG. i wouldnt ever make a statement like yours about u if the regs werent working for you.