Well hell then I’m not shooting till he’s twice his ears then lol

This hunting stuff is getting way too complicated for an old man.

Just go with if it’s close just let it walk. If you got some daylight on both sides between alert ears and main beam you’re probably good.

Thanks for watching that video gents. Appreciate the feedback! Sorry it was shaky!

Talk about not shooting a deer...TPWD on Matador WMA when I was drawn on a hunt has 14" inside minimum. I had enough trouble with 13" and then throw in 14" inside. They took deer away from hunters that were under 14" I was told.

Dang! That’s tough

Tell me about it. After hunting 6 yrs of 13" AR's then thrown that little tidbit...not many close deer where even thought about being shot. I passed on several that were close on spread but they just did not have enough antler and/or age for me. You had to look closely at every deer before evening thinking about shooting.

Again, I think he sneaks out the 13" inside spread but not by much, 1/8-1/4". That said, I personally wouldn't shoot a 3yo but if you see him in field and know he legally makes it and know your deer capacities, quantities, do what makes you and your daughter happy.

Dang, I’m so glad STx is back. Saved some of us time having to explain the width/ear thing.
Having to repeat yourself so many times, I hope you don’t run away again. 👍

It is always fun watching people do a Michael Jackson moonwalk back on their guesses on these score, age and/or width threads.

Jskin, who pissed in your cheerios this morning?

The world lol

Just a little sad a kid can’t go shoot any buck they want now. That’s all

Yep!

I get it. But, here's my son's first buck.

He wasn't a booner at all, but if it weren't for AR's, that buck probably never would have made 3 years and never would have been that big. Although antler restrictions aren't perfect, it has changed the class of deer that we all get a chance at...including kids.

Some people suck 100% of the fun and enjoyment out of hunting. Obsessions with laws, regulations, Game Wardens, tickets, etc.........I know the laws and follow them, that'swhere it ends. I shot both of these, 49 years apart.



Point: let your daughter shoot the deer if YOU are good with it. I was 10 years old, wanting to shoot a buck so bad that if I went another season not getting to kill one I may have not wanted to hunt anymore. Once I got to kill a deer I was hooked and started having to wait on good deer. You're training and developing a hunter. Keep it fun, engaging, let her pick what ya'll cook for breakfast, lunch and dinner or eat snacks all day. Keep her warm, let her have an Ipad in the stand.......Do all you can to make hunting fun, more fun than other things ya'll do together. I hope we see a pic of you and your daughter very soon with her first buck.

I let my kid smoke a 2 year old 9 point this year. That deer had great potential, but who really cares in the end? He was so pumped up to shoot that deer. Thats all that matters.

Nice deer. But based on what some have said here that deer would not be worth the risk, being barely outside ears.

15.5" inside spread? Just a guess

I've done this very thing. Didn't get a ticket. He was outside the ears and a half inch short. Was a mule deer though. The GW aged him at 5.5 to 6 years and he said he would've shot him too. They are looking for hunters to kill mature deer, and he was mature. Earlier this year, I passed on a WT on a public land hunt. He was pretty nice (tall) and was right at the ears. I thought about what that GW said though, and he didn't look like a mature buck to me, so I didn't take the chance.

I am all for kids or even adults shooting what ever they want as their first buck or first deer. But I don't make the rules or guidelines for each county.... just have to follow them. I guided an 84 yr old man over 28 yrs ago now on his first deer hunt. He just wanted to experience hunting at his age and shot 2 does...per his request. His 64 yrs old son sat in the blind with us. Then he took the meat to a processor and then donated it to a Monastery in Central Texas. I have guided a whole bunch of first time hunters over the years.