missed-dumb texas law

[Mike Burch]

hoebow,

I agree with you on what will happen. I believe there will be a lot of coyote food around this year. Lots of folks here will ground check the deer. Sadly, that's just the way some folks are.

I personally don't agree with the law, especially during bow season...I can see it  during gun season, because most gun hunters have scopes on their rifles and has time to make a calm decision.... Where I mostly hunt during bow season, it's thick and decisions have to be made in a split second.....I don't like throwing a measuring stick in my head when everything happens all at once.

They are  ALL  trophies to me.

Mike

[chessieboy]

I'm all for deer management. That being said in PA we have a 3 point to one side or greater rule in most of the counties. Some are 4 points to a side. The reason the game commission gives is to let bucks get older and bigger. The problems is what about the 3 or 4 year old spike. I've seen spikes with 11" spikes. These deer aren't going to get bigger most of the time. Then you have the 1.5 year old 5 point that is legal. If the states want to get into management then do it right. Teach people what a mature deer looks like. Look for the Roman nose, sway back full belly, etc.
I'm still trying to get my son his first deer. I don't care if its a doe, fawn, spike (which is legal for youth)or a P&Y buck. I know it'll be a trophy to both of us.
Let us make the decision what is a trophy not what is legal. Thanks for letting me vent.

[hoebow]

Right on Rawhide, chessieboy
Thanks Hoebow

[stick_string]

I have to add.  I have a friend that is on a "all Bowhunting" lease.  The owner got everyone together and got everyone to agree to get the property on a "MLD 3", managed land program becuase everyone was shooting whatever.  This is a low fenced property...it has been a few years but this is the stuff they are producing now and the population has grown to the point that 60 - 90 does HAVE to be taken off a year.  I believe in it under the right circumstances (big enough property, low fence...etc.)

 

 

[oneshot1]

Stick-string...very nice deer there today.... in 15-20 years there will only be scrubs and spikes under that feeder and folk's will be wondering what happened to the herd....

[hoebow]

Pure greed. We should be allowed to take what buck we are happy with. This big horn thing has went way crazy. What happened to accepting the blessing that was presented.If you want to put in the time and effort to hunt the big one that is ok, but if you want a weekend of fun and shoot the first thing that walks by then that is ok too. Why does the state have to get involved? The goverment doesn't run anything very effective.

[Van/TX]

hickry, good post.

hoebow, you make a good point....Van

[draco]

The MLD program is another ill thought out program of the TP&W.They have allowed high fenced ranches under this program to practically turn into zoos. And what happens on a low fence place when you kill off your 60 to 90 does and the neighbors place has more does than your place,where are your bucks gonna go then. They need to let nature be nature. Just pass up your young bucks if you want to and wait for a bigger one. Thats the only management tool you need.

[Kevin Breaux]

I feel your pain, I live in Cen. TX and had a 9pt that is 11 1/2 -12" wide and 14-15" high. It looked to be 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 years old and not a legal deer.

[Slingblade]

Texas Trophy Hunters

[strummer]

I like the new rule  It keeps most of the young bucks from getting shot. We have had the law for about 4 or 5 years. We are seeing a big change in our herd.

[gwhunter]

I am a meat hunter, but I love antlers.  Trophy's should be rare.  That is one reason why any deer with a traditional bow is a trophy.  It doesn't happen often, of course there are a few people who consistently shoot multiple deer a year with trad gear.  

Buck hunting is the same concept.  What was once a trophy, a mature 8 pointer measuring 130 pts is now common.  With the changing of the rules, people just want bigger bucks.  On some films I have seen, they pass up shots at 130-150 class deer, which is a huge deer, to get a 160-180 class deer.  Both are trophy's and both taste about the same!  

I really don't have a stance on whether or not I agree with the antler restrictions.  They will suck for people that have to pass on shots, but all will reap the benefits later.

[stick_string]

I get a little confused on this site sometimes...some on here say trad hunters are better hunters cause the gear we use...but at the same time say...I want to shoot what ever moves.  I could be wrong but I think the "shoot what ever moves" or "shoot what ever we want" theory is what got the government regulating deer seasons in the first place.    Not to mention the governments regulations have helped increase the number of deer nation wide.  

As for the MLD property...the hunters got together and decided to take nothing but 120 or better and look what the deer are turning into.  I dont care who you are...I believe that you would rather shoot something like what is in the photos than a spike (whether you like antlers or not).  I am a meat hunter as well, but if a spike and a one of those is standing there......I ain't looking at the spike.    :eek:  

Be blessed...

[hoebow]

stick and string,
You are right some game laws are great. they enhance the outdoors.The game laws you reference where enacted at the turn of the century. If you shoot deer all year long pretty soon there is not many left. What I am getting at is totally different. When I was a kid you could kill 5 deer 2 bucks and 3 does, here in texas. Then they said don't kill spikes they become big bucks,now they say you can kill them again.Then they said you can kill 1 buck 3 does, then it was 1 buck two does, now its 1 buck at least 13 inches and 1 buck that has one unbranched antler and two does. I can tell you that there is just as many or more deer now as there was 30 years ago when I was a kid. So what did all those regulations accomplish. At Ft Hood the largest buck ever taken there was in 1970.Some laws are great and I am all for them. Antler restrictions stink. I can't wait till next week and all those gun hunters try to tell 13 inches at a hundred yards. You know how many they are going to shoot walk up and put a tape measure on then walk away because they don't want the fine. If I was a coyote I would have to start an exercise program cause I am eating good next week.

[stick_string]

I understand...but that responsibility belongs to the hunter, and if a he/she is willing to do that, it is on their own head.  Remember though that those restrictions are only in certain counties where they are "supposedly" trying to better the herd.  I hear what you are saying and can agree somewhat, but on the opposite side of things...what is a guy to do in Texas that cannot afford private land and wants to get a nice buck if everyone is shooting the first thing that twitches.  It does not allow him the opportinity to actually hunt and animal (specific animal) and test his skills...just food for thought.      Be blessed.

[hoebow]

Well,
I have made a mistake. I must first tell all of you how sorry I am and I really didn't mean for any harm I was just trying to make a point. Here is the truth. earlier in this post I said that a hunting buddy of mine had shot a buck on the second day of bow season that did not meet the antler restrictions. That is not true I lied. I said it happened this year trying to make a point. What really happened was my hunting buddy shot  the deer last year and voluntarily took the illegal deer in himself. The fort hood authorities took the deer and issued no fines because they said it was the first year of the new antler restrictions. It never happened this year. I lied about it in my earlier post. I am ashamed, embarrassed, and down right humiliated. Its all my fault and I ask that you forgive the sin. I have ask the lord about it and I know he has forgiven me. I think this whole thing is his way of getting my attention. He has it. I commit to you that this sin will never come to me again. I am sorry to my friends and family for the disappointment they must feel