We have this 10 point that looks pretty much the same as last year so if he shows up, do you think he makes 13"? My grandpa is 84 and still hunting with us, if this buck walks out I wanted to give him the green or red sign.
He might with the ears in the "alert" position but even then it would be too close IMHO. I always look for easily identifiable space between the outside edges of the ears and the inside of the mainbeam.
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If my grand father was still alive, I would tell him we need to take a measurement. The old man would have done anything he wanted to with or without my advice
He's close but I would have to agree with the others....it's better to pass on that one.
A buck with ears alert (both clearly facing forward and perked) might make the cut...but a Game Warden might not see it that way. Even though in the outdoor manual...they state the 'standard' for judging inside spread can be the ear width, IF you flatten those ears...there is NO WAY that buck would pass and if you were to pull them up a little he would. So....out would come a measuring tape. And if found lacking....you'd never win a case between a Warden and the JP/Judge.
I have several bucks on my property this year that have high racks, long tines, good main beams but won't make 13". They are simply tall and narrow and might always be that way. Hence the argument made by some that we are advancing that characteristic by protecting older bucks with tall narrow racks. I don't subscribe to that...but there are some that slip through the cracks.
Last edited by flintknapper; 10/18/1903:37 AM. Reason: add pic
That deer would have been shot 10 times over last year up here in north Texas
Sure, there are the outliers but more often they are a plus in my book
Do you think that AR's might be better served if they were switched to a not shooting a buck that has over a 13 inch spread for a few years. Taking out these types that are probably breeding your future generations of narrow antlered Bucks.
He's close but I would have to agree with the others....it's better to pass on that one.
A buck with ears alert (both clearly facing forward and perked) might make the cut...but a Game Warden might not see it that way. Even though in the outdoor manual...they state the 'standard' for judging inside spread can be the ear width, IF you flatten those ears...there is NO WAY that buck would pass and if you were to pull them up a little he would. So....out would come a measuring tape. And if found lacking....you'd never win a case between a Warden and the JP/Judge.
I have several bucks on my property this year that have high racks, long tines, good main beams but won't make 13". They are simply tall and narrow and might always be that way. Hence the argument made by some that we are advancing that characteristic by protecting older bucks with tall narrow racks. I don't subscribe to that...but there are some that slip through the cracks.
I'd be inclined to knock that one down and measure him.
I also see a lot of pictures of these mature good looking deer to me that many would be happy to shoot and people claim AR's keep them safe. That picture is a nigh time photo. Have you ever had an opportunity to shoot him? My brother has a place in an AR county. Some truly impressive deer on camera, several over 13 some probably under, but they all have one thing in common, they only come out at night!
Not 13" However, and I'm sure I'll get a lot of comments about my statement. If my grand dad was 84, I would tell him it made it. When it hit the ground I would never measure it. Then if it does not and the Game Warden showed up. I'd take a photo of him getting a ticket and have it blown up for his funeral with the caption, "My Grandpa, the Outlaw."
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How close is he to the panel behind him? You can use objects around him that you know or could take a measurement of to see if he makes the AR requirements. He is close but I don't think he make 13".
I would pass on him, it's too close to be sure. My thinking goes along the lines of wondering if there is a Game Warden on the property next to mine and what would happen if he heard the shot and came over to say hi. Would it be a good meeting, or would I be nervous about what he found?
Agree w/ others - too close in my opinion. I am in an AR county and have passed on many bucks with similar spreads. And like others here, I see a lot of nice bucks with very tall racks, just not wide. Hoping over time they will spread out some.
Dalroo Deep in the Heart of Texas How about that Brandon!
I've been watching this low fence deer for a couple years now. Saw him a couple of times at 20 yards last year. This year he's an 11 point. I guess he's just a real lucky deer.
He's close but I would have to agree with the others....it's better to pass on that one.
A buck with ears alert (both clearly facing forward and perked) might make the cut...but a Game Warden might not see it that way. Even though in the outdoor manual...they state the 'standard' for judging inside spread can be the ear width, IF you flatten those ears...there is NO WAY that buck would pass and if you were to pull them up a little he would. So....out would come a measuring tape. And if found lacking....you'd never win a case between a Warden and the JP/Judge.
I have several bucks on my property this year that have high racks, long tines, good main beams but won't make 13". They are simply tall and narrow and might always be that way. Hence the argument made by some that we are advancing that characteristic by protecting older bucks with tall narrow racks. I don't subscribe to that...but there are some that slip through the cracks.
I'd be inclined to knock that one down and measure him.
I also see a lot of pictures of these mature good looking deer to me that many would be happy to shoot and people claim AR's keep them safe. That picture is a nigh time photo. Have you ever had an opportunity to shoot him? My brother has a place in an AR county. Some truly impressive deer on camera, several over 13 some probably under, but they all have one thing in common, they only come out at night!
Yes, I have tons of daytime video of this buck and another much like him. Just posted that pic because it shows his tine length clearly. It's not a deer the caliber of which I would shoot anyway...but would make a nice bow-kill for either of my nephews if it weren't so 'close' to being 13" but not certain.
I think some of your guys would do good to put some known length items... say 13 inches long, at various distances from the cameras at your feeders if this is a common problem for you.
i don't think he is 13". Closer to 11-12" IMO. I am a believer in ARs but there are exceptions. We had a 140"/6yo deer shot last year in E Tex that was measured at 13.25". A trophy deer for our area and was barely legal. Two weeks later had a 2yo/6pt shot and measured 15"....