Antler spread

[Nsghunter]

Some of the WMAs have a 15" antler restriction. Can anyone help me understand a way to quickly assess this from the tree stand?
I have only harvested one buck in my life and it was little 4 point. Like very little.

 

[Jcalder]

Some of the WMAs have a 15" antler restriction. Can anyone help me understand a way to quickly assess this from the tree stand?
I have only harvested one buck in my life and it was little 4 point. Like very little.

Outside or inside spread. Generally it's said the ears tip to tip are roughly 15".


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[Nsghunter]

15 inch outside antler spread.

 

[Shed Hunter]

If his antlers are past his ears I don't think they'll say anything. It's a weird rule because lemme tell you.. a deer's ear spread can vary a fair amount

 

[Andy S.]

For field judging, I assume ear tip to ear tip spread is 16" when fully alert (ears spread out wide as possible to catch all sounds).

 

[catman529]

Outside the ears


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[catman529]

For field judging, I assume ear tip to ear tip spread is 16" when fully alert (ears spread out wide as possible to catch all sounds).

when they are alert their ears aren't exactly at their widest. They are cupped forward. You can see this best when a deer is standing under your tree and some noise in the distance catches its attention. A deer with a 15" outside spread will be at least as wide as the ears. Unless it's some genetic donkey-eared freak


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[TN Whitetail Freak]

Here's a pic of 3 recent deer and what I would guess their spreads if it was a deciding factor.

 

[Grnwing]

I have let bucks walk because I am not confident on the antler spread. I try and use the ear to ear spread at 16 inches as reference. Problem is when you're bow hunting you don't always have the time to glass a buck and get it to pose just right to get the measurements. I try to take other characteristics into consideration based on what the WMA managers have shared with me, as the regulations are are usually passed with a conservation mindset behind them. I will look to see if he is a mature buck judging by body size and combining that with main beam lengths and antler width. I kind of approach it as, if I mess up on the antler width measurement, do I have anything else to justify killing the buck when I meet the warden at the truck.

 

[Antler Daddy]

Better judge than me! All those look about the same width.

 

[Snake]

Most WMA's that have this rule usually adds the four point rule which is four point on at least one side . I've seen a game warden a let fourteen inch go but it don't mean they will . Most here that had said width of ears is a good rule as I'm pretty sure the rule is in effect (15") because it's easier to read by the width from tip to tip of ears . I'm sure some have been shot only to leave because it didn't make the grade which is sad . Just take a set of binos to look at the buck good before deciding to shoot if time allows , last one I shot @ Yuchi there wasn't time but I could clearly see four points on one side which he met both goals .

 

[Andy S.]

For field judging, I assume ear tip to ear tip spread is 16" when fully alert (ears spread out wide as possible to catch all sounds).

when they are alert their ears aren't exactly at their widest. They are cupped forward. You can see this best when a deer is standing under your tree and some noise in the distance catches its attention. A deer with a 15" outside spread will be at least as wide as the ears. Unless it's some genetic donkey-eared freak


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Thanks for clarifying, I never knew that. Not sure how I missed it in 25 years of hunting and being friends with a taxidermist.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Thanks for clarifying, I never knew that. Not sure how I missed it in 25 years of hunting and being friends with a taxidermist.

:D

 

[DRSJ35]

Let me walk I would. I would go with the more noticeable regulation. There is usually like 15'' and 4 on one side. I would stick with the 4 on one side to be safe.

 

[Antler Daddy]

Here's a pic of 3 recent deer and what I would guess their spreads if it was a deciding factor.

I think that middle buck is wider than 14". I would not shoot the deer on left unless on the last day of my hunt.

However, I might shoot all three on opening morning on a WMA quota hunt. All have 4 on a side and nice trophies. I have passed up too many bucks on WMA quota hunts on the first morning, and then I go home empty handed. I did the same thing with a 300 class bull elk one time because I did not want to legally get out of the truck, step over to the fence, and shoot my first bull at 250 yards away on my guide's advice....I wanted to keep hiking around the New Mexico mountains with him for two more days. You live and learn.