Buck Limit In Your State

[ThePennsylvanian]

One thing that the pa game commision did right is that youth hunters didnt have to follow the apr's. A legal buck for the youth is one antler of 3 inches or more.

 

[CRogers]

I like that, shouldn't make it tough on kids. In AR youth doesn't have antler restrictions. I know you guys in PA get a lot of pressure so that's good that they're accommodating for younger hunters.

 

[ThePennsylvanian]

The state has come a long way to get youth involved, I had to wait until I was twelve to legally hunt, but my 8 yo has had a license for 3 seasons going on her 4th and harvested her first gobbler this spring. I never had that opportunity. Overall, I am happy with where our state is, although I'd like to see more happen with our elk.

 

[austin1990]

The state has come a long way to get youth involved, I had to wait until I was twelve to legally hunt, but my 8 yo has had a license for 3 seasons going on her 4th and harvested her first gobbler this spring. I never had that opportunity. Overall, I am happy with where our state is, although I'd like to see more happen with our elk.

Basically only requirement for a youth in AR is they have to be atleast 6 years old and aren't required to get a license until you're 16. Only reason they added the age requirement because they had an abundance of 3 and 4 years old kids tagging deer they'd killed with a 12 gauge....

 

[CRogers]

I enjoy listening to guys from PA and some of the heavily pressured states. Guys that hunt high pressure in hilly terrain with no ag related food sources is what I can relate to because that's what I deal with. They've made several attempts in AR to bring the elk back but can't seem to do it, not really sure what the issue is. I loved turkey hunting when I was a teenager but the AR season is so short and is too late in my opinion. We get 2 weeks, which if you're limited to weekends you might as well say 4 days to kill a bird. It makes it tough. The last two years I've squirrel hunted, fished and scouted new properties for deer season.

 

[austin1990]

I enjoy listening to guys from PA and some of the heavily pressured states. Guys that hunt high pressure in hilly terrain with no ag related food sources is what I can relate to because that's what I deal with. They've made several attempts in AR to bring the elk back but can't seem to do it, not really sure what the issue is. I loved turkey hunting when I was a teenager but the AR season is so short and is too late in my opinion. We get 2 weeks, which if you're limited to weekends you might as well say 4 days to kill a bird. It makes it tough. The last two years I've squirrel hunted, fished and scouted new properties for deer season.

Exactly. I got to hunt 2 days this spring for Turkey and never heard a gobble or found a track in places that used to always have birds. They're just not here like they used to be, I have ideas why but the agfc doesn't listen to us and do what they want to. That's why I just mostly squirrel hunt and deer hunt now a days. Squirrel hunting is my favorite way to scout new areas and it's fun.

 

[Freepistol]

Pennsylvania = 1 buck a year
Luckily, I live close enough to hunt west virginia, with a 3 buck limit! Our buck to doe ratio is starting to get better in PA but it's going to be a long road for things to get really good around here, APR's have certainly helped!

Many bigger bucks here in NEPA since the restrictions. One drawback I’ve seen is more bucks sans brow tines. I’ve drawn on four pointers almost every year trying to put the brow tine on him. I’m 66 and have my share of deer. I’m only looking for a legal deer now. Someone else can have the big ones.

 

[CRogers]

@austin1990 yep same here. It's a great way to scout. Late February this year I went squirrel hunting and found some good deer sign and a couple spots on public I'm going to try this fall. It's a win win no matter what to me. If I don't come back with a mess of squirrels often times I'll at least find one or two spots to try during deer season.

 

[IkemanTX]

Here in Texas, we get a total of 5 tags.

3- Buck or Antlerless
2- Antlerless only

Now, that doesn’t mean you can necessarily kill them many deer. We have buck/doe restrictions in each county. Also, many counties have antler restrictions. (13” inside spread minimum)

In many of the counties I hunt, there is a 1 buck and 2 doe limit for the county. (Does open for harvest in archery season, and the 3 days thanksgiving weekend in rifle)

In counties with high populations, you can take 2 bucks and 3 does in that county alone.

Technically, I could shoot 3 bucks statewide if they were taken from different counties.

My biggest complaint about Texas hunting regulations would definitely be the 70+ day rifle season. It does a number on herd numbers and buck/doe ratio.

................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx

 

[Pse]

Here in Texas, we get a total of 5 tags.

3- Buck or Antlerless
2- Antlerless only

Now, that doesn’t mean you can necessarily kill them many deer. We have buck/doe restrictions in each county. Also, many counties have antler restrictions. (13” inside spread minimum)

In many of the counties I hunt, there is a 1 buck and 2 doe limit for the county. (Does open for harvest in archery season, and the 3 days thanksgiving weekend in rifle)

In counties with high populations, you can take 2 bucks and 3 does in that county alone.

Technically, I could shoot 3 bucks statewide if they were taken from different counties.

My biggest complaint about Texas hunting regulations would definitely be the 70+ day rifle season. It does a number on herd numbers and buck/doe ratio.

................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx

Have you found the antler restrictions improved the quality of the bucks you've been seeing

 

[IkemanTX]

Have you found the antler restrictions improved the quality of the bucks you've been seeing

Absolutely they have. It probably jumped the average buck score in north central Texas by 20+ inches. Doesn’t mean I don’t cuss them when it keeps me from shooting something, though.

I think the biggest part of our antler restrictions that makes them worth is that they are not based on point numbers, but inside spread. They landed on that based on researching the most age relative feature. I feel like it truly performs the way it should.


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx

 

[Lacky]

I just have to ask, how do you tell with any degree of accuracy that an inside spread is xx inches at 150 yards? I'm sure it's something like the 3" stick past the top of the ears for that rule.

 

[MN_Bowhunter4]

MN is one buck statewide per year. And depending on the zone, anywhere from one deer either sex up to unlimited does. And some zones have APRs in place too.

I personally hunt the metro zone most often and there is no shortage of hunters. It’s unlimited does and no APR. Having hunted here 5 seasons (from Michigan originally, then Texas) I’ve only seen two bucks with brow tines. Fortunately, does do abound and I’m not picky.

 

[IkemanTX]

I just have to ask, how do you tell with any degree of accuracy that an inside spread is xx inches at 150 yards? I'm sure it's something like the 3" stick past the top of the ears for that rule.

13” inside spread is almost always exactly as wide as the ears in an alert position.
So, our AR’s are more accurately described as “outside the ears”


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx

 

[Sugcain04]

Louisiana is a 6 deer limit with a 3 buck max- zero limitations or 2- bucks zero limitations and 4 does. LLLLOOOONNNNGGGG gun season!!!! Luckily we have a lot of clear cuts and palmettos that let some bucks get through

 

[dalton916]

@flinginairos it is funny you mention small areas with antler restrictions. We have several counties that have 15” minimum spread rules. They aren’t even the counties that are producing the biggest bucks. One of them has a chunk of public I hunt. I see as many dumb 2.5 year old bucks there as 1.5 year olds around here. Of course instead of having a pile of 1.5 year old bucks killed they get killed at 2.5 if they are barely legal. I don’t like out 4 point 1” long rule. I fought it in a club I was in. I know spikes can grow into nice deer but why would anyone wanting antler restrictions shoot their 1.5 year old 7-8 point deer? I like the spread rule but have seen a few pictures of deer there that are really tall and heavy but narrow enough not to be legal but realistically they are few and far between.

I hunted a chunk of Alabama public that a spread rule would basically eliminate the buck harvest. I went into a sporting goods store to get my license and the “bragging board” was covered with of pics of damn nice bucks and 90% of them were under 15” inside, nice mass and TALL.

 

[austin1990]

I just have to ask, how do you tell with any degree of accuracy that an inside spread is xx inches at 150 yards? I'm sure it's something like the 3" stick past the top of the ears for that rule.

An average buck in Arkansas ears will be 14-15 inches wide when relaxed and feeding or moving theough. Now when they're alerted they'll be a little closer together like 12-13 inches.

 

[austin1990]

I hunted a chunk of Alabama public that a spread rule would basically eliminate the buck harvest. I went into a sporting goods store to get my license and the “bragging board” was covered with of pics of damn nice bucks and 90% of them were under 15” inside, nice mass and TALL.

An average buck in my area will be 14-15 inches inside, above average is 16-17 inches. I've only ever seen one buck over 19 inches wide in my county. Some areas though produce wider on average, especially in the delta and farmland. Interesting enough the Arkansas state record scores like 240 inches non typical and has a 13 inch spread, that's why I'm not a big advocate for spread as a APR requirement.

 

[Arrowsquirrel]

In Kansas it's 1 buck. I think one buck is a really good thing for buck quality here. Keeps everybody from shooting the first buck that walks past. My unit here in I can only get 1 doe tag Used to be able to get up to three doe tags. Really miss those days. Now I have to drive to another unit to put extra meat in the freezer.

 

[Pse]

Absolutely they have. It probably jumped the average buck score in north central Texas by 20+ inches. Doesn’t mean I don’t cuss them when it keeps me from shooting something, though.

I think the biggest part of our antler restrictions that makes them worth is that they are not based on point numbers, but inside spread. They landed on that based on researching the most age relative feature. I feel like it truly performs the way it should.

That's pretty much how I've seen things change, I think also there's been a change of mindset regarding letting bucks have time to get some age on them rather than shoot the first buck that comes in
................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx