Hawk
Well-Known Member
Is there some way or norn to estimate the spread of buck while hunting. Like telling the difference between a 18' spread and a 20' spread .
Yes, the ears at alert on a mature buck are about 16 inches wide. Compare to the width of the ears.Is there some way or norn to estimate the spread of buck while hunting. Like telling the difference between a 18' spread and a 20' spread .
Tip to Tip ear width is a good rule of thumb for 15-16" antler spreads.Like backyardtn said, a deers ears should be 16in when alert from tip to tip.... the key is making sure when judging one ear isnt laid off to the side or the head is at an angle which can throw you off.
Regards to Moss Island and Ernest Rice hunts tomorrow. 9 points minimum or 20 in spread.Said buck is going to have to parade out in an opening (field, etc) nonchalantly, turn broadside, look at the fortunate hunter, perk his ears up, stand there for 10-15 seconds, and give the hunter ample time to decipher 2" and make a decision. 95% of hunters will never experience this rare occurrence, and 95% of hunters could not not accurately decipher the 2" difference if given the opportunity. I've deer hunted in TN 30 years and what I just described does not happen very often.
Is your question in regards to PI quota buck hunt antler restrictions?
Regards to Moss Island and Ernest Rice hunts tomorrow. 9 points minimum or 20 in spread.
How many realize that the average buck entered into the B& C record book, all across America, does NOT have a 20" spread!
That's right.
Most B&C bucks do not have a 20" spread.
They are less than that.
Does requiring a 20" spread make sense?
Just another stupid antler criteria that contributes to high-grading the best antlered young bucks, since of those that have 20", most of those will have it by Age 3 1/2 if not 2 1/2?
They are some really big eight point deer on these properties that will get you a ticket. Likely in the 140'sA lil off topic but antler restrictions are asinine. If a hunter is good enough to accurately judge rack width then the hunter is more than good enough to judge buck age, which IMO should be the criteria. Look how many old giant 8pt bucks are in the 8pt thread right now that don't have 20" spread. They'd be illegal on that hunt.
Man that used to do our taxidermy had one in his shop that his son killed, I believe at Moss. Best as I recall it was a squeaker by the 20 inch rule, it did not have enough points. From the story he told me, his son was really worried after he shot it, that it didn't make criteria. The deer was very young, antlers went straight out, may have been 85-90 inches. Got me to wondering what the penalty would be for a hunter who kills one that doesn't meet criteria.Regards to Moss Island and Ernest Rice hunts tomorrow. 9 points minimum or 20 in spread.