One guy on the lease says legal AR deer, one guy says no --help please

This is the best photo I could get of the deer. We are in AR county. What do you think?

He's close but I think he is!!!

Not sure of AR rules... Here its the 13" rule & that deer is a plus... We keep our deer well educated.. As pappy once said: we use the Big Bang Theory ...

If those drums are standard size. They are 22.5" wide. Comparing to that deer, that buck is REAL close.

He's probably 14" wide

I'd let him grow another year or two.

I probably say "yes" he'll measure. But I think I'd let him walk. Depends on how long I had to sit in the stand and watch him!

I've got a similar one on the wall from Mills County that goes 14 1/4" inside but my deer is a shade wider. I bet he's legal, but I don't think I'd fin: out the hard way.

I think he makes it. If that is the one you want, then shoot it.

I would let it walk and not take the chance. Not gonna hurt to let it get bigger.

Do you want to take our word for it or let a game warden measure it?

He's legal, barely but legal, 13.5-14.0"

That is way to close to call for me. I would not risk it.

Looks like he'd sneak by, but Sneaky has a good point.

I think I would let him walk to close

He'll make it

A perfect example of why I never pull the trigger until I see space between the outside edges of the ears and inside edges of the antlers. And how much space determines how quickly I will pull the trigger.

Far too close for me to shoot.

That close deserves a pass,JMO

^^^^
This

I'd bet your tag he's legal!

I think he barely makes it, but close enough I wouldn't take the chance. I would let him go another year and hope no one else was willing to take a chance on him. It's a shame because he's a beautiful buck.

Yes, he is. And here is the situation. I have picked him out for my wife to kill. She is 70 and I do not know how many more years we have that we will be able to walk the fields and climb into the tree stands. I already cannot lift a buck into the back of a pickup. I have to use a FEL to get them up there. So......I really hate to tell her to pass on this buck saying, " lets get him next year." But also, I don't want her and she would not want to kill one that is not legal.

What county?

South, probably, north east, probably not

Eastland, near Carbon, TX

If you look at the TPWD hunting manual, he fits the description of a legal buck.

Imagine a plumb line hung down the inside of each antler, it clears the ears which are definitely in the "alert" position, as described in the Outdoor Annual. It's close, but any GW writing your 70 year old wife up for that one is a DB. Shoot it, if it causes a problem we'll pass the hat and bail you out.

edited to add: I'd pass, personally, but I'm not 70 years old either!

That area most bucks that age are around 170lbs with ears in alert a bit over 13 inches. Like the others that say he just makes it I tend to agree. Taker the chance or not I up to you.

We do not hunt that far apart in Eastland County.

That's a tough one for sure, but under those circumstances I would probably be more willing to roll the dice. I do think he's legal, but it's an easy call for the rest of us because we have zero risk in the situation. If your wife doesn't get this one, I hope she gets another good one. Best of luck whichever way you go.

Keep us posted, hope to see a pic
With your wife holding his antlers in the near future.

If she gets him, I will post photos of her happy smile and a photo of a tape measurement of his horns. Thank you for all of the help with everyone's opinions.

Legal. Ears are in alert position and the inside circumference is greater than that of the tips of the ears. In fact, the deer is a close match for the illustration here...
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/animals/white-tailed-deer

That's a legal deer! I let one walk that was similar before, maybe even was a lil heavier antlered and never seen it again, none of us!!! Had it al over again I would Shoot!

Tell Mrs. T we want to see plenty of pics.

I agree....

, post didn't go threw.. Best wishes... Taking from the Tittle of thread theirs a difference of opinions on if deer is legal or not... Not sure what the rules for culling on your lease are... The money for hunting licence, & lease came out of your pocket... Tis like pappy says about gas prices: Not every one pays the same ... Best wishes this season...

i'm just a lowfer who's post ain't worth ... With a generous 2month any legal meens, following a 1month archery season... Deer here don't stand around for mug-shots ... As pappy once said: using the BBT, Big Bang Theory... When de chooten begins... The survivers Mature faster ...

This

Too close , another year might make big difference !

I'd say he's barely legal which is the same way I like my women.

Legal

Without knowing the body sizes of bucks in your area, it's hard to tell, but assuming the average, I'd bet he makes it with an inch to spare. I shot a tiny bodied buck in the hill country that didn't look quite as wide as that guy and his inside was 12.5. My neighbor shot a buck last year that was huge bodied and we all questioned if it made 13 when we saw the picture and it was actually 15.5. I know because he didn't find the deer and I ultimately recovered it a week later and was shocked at how much bigger it was than it looked in his game cam pic.

Deer in warmer states tend to be smaller in body size... They don't need the extra weight ta survive harsh winters... The smaller, lighter bone structure is more suttable for the warmer climits... A 140 rack on a 150+# deer looks small were a 120 rack on a. 90# deer looks big... Smaller bone structure usualy thinner diameter main beams & such...

Id say so

I've got a couple that are like that and they get a pass.
Only one way to find out!

One of two things can happen, nice buck son! or camp meat. Leave it at that.

I don't think ANY game warden would write a ticket up for that. a nice deer, it certainly isn't a 11-12" deer. you might get a warning and told to be more careful if it doesn't measure. I would be livid to hear a game warden would write a ticket on that type of deer measuring 12 3/4".

Kill one that wide at 12 3/4" and call the GW. Keep us update on what happens next.

When in doubt, favor the ranch. I think he'll make it, but just too close to call so I'd let him walk.

This is what I say, if hes that close why even chance it let him go another year.

x2

I think he makes it, but it's close. It'd be a stressful few minutes after the trigger is pulled and waiting for him to expire. In other words, I wouldn't do it, based on that picture.

Keep track of all those who encourage you to take that buck so you can go back and get in contact with them to help you pay the fine if you get ticketed.
I guess the more people you get the easier it will be on the bank account.

That deer is closer to 15" than 13", IMHO.

The only thing talking when that happens will be the crickets...

ill give you $5!

Bet a measuring tape is a new common item seen in most AR county hunting packs

At the point you can use it, it does you no good to use it. You can't change the spread with it.

Won't be a problem given that it is a legal deer and the assessment made via TPWD standards for field assessment using the above image. You have a facing deer with the ears in the forward alert position and the tips of the ears are inside of the inside spread of the antlers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS0rFdrXs0A

So you say its defenatly not legal ... if that deer stepped out here, & i had my licence i'd invite ya over for some en & chillen & prove ta ya its 13+

true true... but a little peace of mind is a good thing lol.

still though you just gona have to see him in person and make a decision.... Id already have my mind made up to shoot him if I saw him though.... that's just me. Good luck with the decision

Just fold his ears back when you hold him. He'll look legal

He barely makes it and is 3.5 years old, so I'd let him pass.

nice deer....
Did i ever tell ya's bout the time i chot a deer that was questionable ? Bleached the turf between its ped's & it was legaly blonde ....

You're nuts colt

deer looks at least 4yrs old to me

I'll throw in $20 towards a fine if one is given for Mrs. T's buck.

He is wider than 13" and by TPW standards he definitely meets their requirements for field judging.

I say too close to call. I would let him walk

Keep them coming and we'll have enough encouragers to set up a THF AR relief fund!

Agree though why chance it. Let it go. Or, if you're a gambler... smoke a cig, listen to a song, read a few paragraphs, etc... if still there when done, shoot.

-Mickey

Well, she did not get a chance at that buck, but she did shoot a nice 10pt this morning. It was windy, but she made a 200 yard shot with her 30/06 dropping the buck where it stood. The processor said that it was the largest buck that he has had brought in so far this season. I could not be happier for her.....except she point out all the way home that hers was bigger than the one I got opening weekend.........you got to love them.

Great buck Congrats

Congrates ta Mrs. T

I hope you get him on film next year so we can see what he looks like.

I hope I get him on film too. That means he made it through the season.

He's a legal kill.