did the antler restriction rules change this year?

[duckmanep]

I noticed the wording in the new Public Hunt drawing website does not mention 13 inches. Instead... "Buck(s) must have an inside main beam spread equal to or wider than the ear tips (Limit One) or at least one unbranched antler."

With the new wording, a 12 15/16 inch spread would be legal as long as its wider that his ear tips?

Does this apply to the Public Hunt drawings only, or did something change?

[Sneaky]

Interested in this also, so at least I can always be on the right side of the law.

[FLASH_OUTDOORS]

Watching this!!

[Thumper]

Interested in this also, so at least I can always be on the right side of the law.

If the hunts are MLD Level II or greater the AR's do not apply. Looks like a new rule just for their hunts. jmo

[Shane]

I noticed the wording in the new Public Hunt drawing website does not mention 13 inches. Instead... "Buck(s) must have an inside main beam spread equal to or wider than the ear tips (Limit One) or at least one unbranched antler."

With the new wording, a 12 15/16 inch spread would be legal as long as its wider that his ear tips?

Does this apply to the Public Hunt drawings only, or did something change?

Those management rules for certain public hunts are not the same as antler restrictions in the counties that ARs apply.

[duckmanep]

Those management rules for certain public hunts are not the same as antler restrictions in the counties that ARs apply.

In years past, even the public hunts said 13 inches. Just made me wonder since the public hunt wording had changed, if the whole AR wording would change.

[westtexducks]

I don't know why they don't just go ahead and do this would eliminate a lot of .25 to .5 inch violations on deer with little ears.

[Shane]

In years past, even the public hunts said 13 inches. Just made me wonder since the public hunt wording had changed, if the whole AR wording would change.

I don't remember any of them saying 13" in the past. There may have been some though. The ones I remember that had spread requirements were in units in non-AR counties, and they always said main beam spread wider than the ears.

[Thumper]

Side note: Some of the federal public hunts are placing a bag limit of two deer per drawing hunt with a one male deer limit. You shoot an anterless button buck, that's your male deer limit for that drawing hunt.

[TX CHICKEN]

Side note: Some of the federal public hunts are placing a bag limit of two deer per drawing hunt with a one male deer limit. You shoot an anterless button buck, that's your male deer limit for that drawing hunt.

I thought a buck without protruding horns was a "doe" under TPWD guidelines? Is it different on the federal hunts or maybe my understanding is wrong.

[8pointer]

I thought a buck without protruding horns was a "doe" under TPWD guidelines? Is it different on the federal hunts or maybe my understanding is wrong.

"Antlerless" under TPWD guidelines

[rjtkdplus]

He did say "male deer"

[BTLowry]

On the public hunts I have been on it has not been 13" in a few years. Outside the ear tips. Biologist stated in orientation it did not matter if they were 10" as long as it was outside the ear tips and he didn't care if they were 18" wide they better be wider than the ear tips.
If it was questionable they would hang the deer from the rear feet and see where the ear tips were in relation to the antler spread. Said it was the best way they had found to check