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Ear Width #8438736 11/04/21 12:38 PM
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keith2sing Offline OP
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As an East Texas Hunter who started after AR’s I’ve always been told that Ear Width is 13 inches while in alert. As I research more I’m finding out that mature bucks could have an Ear Width to be as much as 16-18 inches. Could this guy be legal even though he is inside his ears? We haven’t had much on camera this year and he is the only mature buck that we’ve had consistently.

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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438755 11/04/21 01:01 PM
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DQ Kid Offline
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Don't think he'll make it, they estimate 14" inside spread to be AR legal, he looks about 13.25-13.5" to me.

Re: Ear Width [Re: DQ Kid] #8438765 11/04/21 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by DQ Kid
Don't think he'll make it, they estimate 14" inside spread to be AR legal, he looks about 13.25-13.5" to me.

I agree with DQ Kid, he's to close to chance.


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438768 11/04/21 01:18 PM
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notamtchance Offline
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13 inches is legal, but he looks way to close to chance it to me.


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Re: Ear Width [Re: notamtchance] #8438772 11/04/21 01:19 PM
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Mr. T. Offline
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Originally Posted by notamtchance
13 inches is legal, but he looks way to close to chance it to me.

Same here ^^^^^^^,


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438777 11/04/21 01:23 PM
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unclebubba Online Content
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Yep. 13 is the legal min. Not 14. I think he makes it, but just barely. You'd really be gambling if you took that chance. If he's only 12.9 vs 13.25, he's illegal.

Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438784 11/04/21 01:24 PM
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Sure as you shoot him he'll be 12 5/8". If your neighbor kills him he'll be 13 1/8".


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438789 11/04/21 01:29 PM
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It stinks and is a God send all at the same time for me. As much as some dont want you to believe it I think the narrow mature buck is much more the exception than the rule.

Our deer run an ear tip to tip of over 13 easily. If you have looked into your deer in past and they are over the 13 ear spread, he is mature, and you think he makes 13 then I would go for it.


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Re: Ear Width [Re: DQ Kid] #8438804 11/04/21 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by DQ Kid
Don't think he'll make it, they estimate 14" inside spread to be AR legal, he looks about 13.25-13.5" to me.

I meant 13" inside spread as legal, he looks 12.5-12.75" to me.

Re: Ear Width [Re: DQ Kid] #8438806 11/04/21 01:42 PM
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stxranchman Offline
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Originally Posted by DQ Kid
Originally Posted by DQ Kid
Don't think he'll make it, they estimate 14" inside spread to be AR legal, he looks about 13.25-13.5" to me.

I meant 13" inside spread as legal, he looks 12.5-12.75" to me.

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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438807 11/04/21 01:44 PM
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Thanks Ranch, I'm getting forgetful on exact regs in my older years. LOL

Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438810 11/04/21 01:45 PM
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He is very close if not just over legal width for an AR county of 13". He is to close for me to chance it though. Only way is if I new what the average ear width was for the property I am hunting on, even then he could still not be legal. IME ear widths vary on every property.


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438881 11/04/21 02:46 PM
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I dont think he makes it.
Ear width certainly varies.


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438890 11/04/21 02:53 PM
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I dont think he will make 13.

Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8438899 11/04/21 02:58 PM
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Too close, I wouldn't.


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8439012 11/04/21 04:35 PM
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I agree that he is very, very close but I think may be just under 13" IS.

What a mature brute of a deer for sure though.


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8439022 11/04/21 04:53 PM
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Reason # 5,206 to process your deer at home bolt


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8439064 11/04/21 05:40 PM
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Typically I've found in the alert position, 13" is closer to the norm. The 16-18" you mentioned is not "alert" at least not in Freestone Co. I've measured a few of our bucks holding their ears straight out and have seen anywhere from 16-18" that way. That's still another couple inches wider than the alert position.

Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8439070 11/04/21 05:50 PM
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This buck was killed in an AR county. He was 13 6/8 IS. He was a 7+ yr old buck that field dressed only 108 lbs. Trail cam photos can make deer look smaller or larger than they really are. Unless you have other deer to judge from it is hard to make the call on a buck that is close. I felt this buck was 14" or little more inside, but he was under 14" but still legal.
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This buck was killed on the same ranch and was mature also. He was 14 2/4" IS but he field dressed 140. Larger bodied deer with much larger ears. Even on the same ranch bucks ear size and width can vary a lot.
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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8439139 11/04/21 07:09 PM
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As usual, STx pics and comments are very helpful and much appreciated.


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8439190 11/04/21 08:15 PM
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In the future you might want to cut a board that's exactly 13 inches long and bolt it to a feeder leg for reference.


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8439197 11/04/21 08:27 PM
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First couple years of our place. We had 4 years of pictures of him so at least 4 yo. He was 177 pounds on the hoof and is a hair over 13.5 inches wide. His ears alert were wider than his beams.
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Re: Ear Width [Re: Texan Til I Die] #8439299 11/04/21 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Texan Til I Die
In the future you might want to cut a board that's exactly 13 inches long and bolt it to a feeder leg for reference.


Great idea! Will do.

Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8439358 11/05/21 12:01 AM
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Very typical of a lot of East Texas Bucks. He won't go much over the AR but he's good to go. up

I believe he is easily 14"ish


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Re: Ear Width [Re: keith2sing] #8440123 11/05/21 09:46 PM
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I would hammer him…….


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