New Laws in Texas

[markc]

http://www.ttha.com/Resources/NewsPolitics/GovernmentAffairs/tabid/204/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/162/2009-Texas-Legislative-Recap.aspx


My favorite so far is legalizing crossbows during the archery only season.  It's about time in my opinion and my Yukon XL should get a good workout now..

[elmer]

Our county was added to the counties with antler restrictions. I am glad to see that MLD properties are exempt. We have been following this guideline anyway, but it's nice not to have the added pressure that if my eyeball isn't properly calibrated and it's only 12 3/4 I'm in violation.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/media/regulations_summary_2009_2010.pdf

[markc]

I am not oppossed to antler restrictions, but I am curious as to how they arrived at 13" is the minimum.  In W. Tx, several large mature heavy horned bucks were taken the past 2 seasons with only one wider than 13".  Most were in between 12" and 13".  Wierd, and maybe there is a genetic factor in that area, but even on my Waller county lease, bucks tend to have deformed antlers and there are a number of spikes that are several years old.  The spikes are legal, but the mature, strange antlered deer, many of them anyway, are not legal.   I guess an antler minimum width is easier to see and get used to than judging age by body shape. 

[GeneRector]

  Howdy!  The hunter or huntress will need to study the deer before shooting.  Anything with a questionable width of at least a 13 inch spread may have to walk.  Yes, there are deer with heavy horned antlers that do not meet the criteria.  Also, a deer that grows antlers only on one side will be a forever protected buck once that antler branches as this deer meets none of the criteria. However, I have never seen a deer with just one side antlers, but they probably occur in nature once in a while. 

[markc]

Hey Gene, I shot a one antlered buck a couple seasons back in a swampy woods, and low and behold he actually had one side broken off at the base.  Who ever said, some deer will just have to walk if you can't confirm the 13" minimum was right.  Wile I don't completly agree, it is the law now, and my wife and I try always to abide by the law. 

[Oldshooter]

I'm all infavor of some restrictions size wise but a hard and fast 13 inches may be a hard rule to obey before the shot!  I must say that I'm not so sure I'd want some GW's making calls on so specific a criteria, it could become a serious problem, in an atmosphere where a lot of hunters (and fishermen) feel that they are paying way to much to participate in these "sports" now! Duck hunting is really not worth the effort or expense!

Edited to add:

I was listening to Chestor Moore this evening on the radio. hes an editor or the editor for Texas fish and Game Magazine. He brought up a valid point, the size restrictions are going to(he feels) ruin hunting for the younsters in that after passing up on some nice deer because they are a wee bit small they may just loose interest and give up. The first Deer I killed was no trophy to anyone but ME! So I see his point! Also he thinks that there will be a backlash due to the fact that there are a lot of hunters that hunt for meat and spend a lot to do it!

[Mohawk]

 I think the crossbow during archery season was a good decision. It only turned sportsman against sportsman the way it was previously. And the width restriction is, in my opinion, useless...... 13" is a lot of spread for an historically "Basket Rack" State. Texas historically grows them tall and thick, at least around here.

[markc]

Something I have found intersting when reading anything published by TP&WD is how they state that there is such great support for the antler restrictions and as a result it is being expanded to other counties.  I don't doubt that there is support for it, but I am just not hearing it from the folks I've talked to about it.  As I previously posted, I've seen some heavy bodied bucks that were in the 3 to 5 year range in Crocket county only measure 12" to 12 1/2".   This was not during drought times, but during some of the wettest spring seasons in years.   13" ?  I wish I understood how tat was arrived at.  Perhaps a wildlife biologist could explaine it..

[Oldshooter]

how they state that there is such great support for the antler restrictions and as a result it is being expanded to other counties.

Yep they aint listening to anyone I have listened to! There may be some trophy hunters that think its cool but average joe hunter sees it as a crock that will have backlash effect for hunters who just wanna eat deer! and prolly some extra poaching!

[Mohawk]

Something I have found intersting when reading anything published by TP&WD is how they state that there is such great support for the antler restrictions and as a result it is being expanded to other counties.  I don't doubt that there is support for it, but I am just not hearing it from the folks I've talked to about it.  As I previously posted, I've seen some heavy bodied bucks that were in the 3 to 5 year range in Crocket county only measure 12" to 12 1/2".   This was not during drought times, but during some of the wettest spring seasons in years.   13" ?  I wish I understood how tat was arrived at.  Perhaps a wildlife biologist could explaine it..

+1

how they state that there is such great support for the antler restrictions and as a result it is being expanded to other counties.

Yep they aint listening to anyone I have listened to! There may be some trophy hunters that think its cool but average joe hunter sees it as a crock that will have backlash effect for hunters who just wanna eat deer! and prolly some extra poaching!

+1
I agree with both.

[markc]

Mohawk, not to be nosey, but who is the lady in the pic in your signature?   How is your boy doing?   

[jmayton]

I hunt every year in Somervell county and we've had antler restrictions for several seasons now.  We came up with a great solution to the 13" or greater issue.  When we set out our feeders, we hang yard sticks horizontally in the trees and at the feeders.  Just wait for the deer to walk in front of the stick and take your measurement!

Seriously, it's not a real big deal, it just has to look at you, you can't take the broadside shot without it turning its head.  I had to whistle at one one day to get it to look.

[Mohawk]

Hey, Mark. The lady in my pic is my new Fiance'. We dated for a long time many years ago, high school and college years. We started dating again almost a year and a half ago. Great gal. She asked me to marry her. I said yes, because we were in downtown Austin and she had the car keys..   We had planned on getting married this fall but I was recently promoted at work and that kind of changed the intinerary. Our unit restructured so now I actually have a staff to be responsible for...     The revised wedding date is set for mid April.

 My son is doing well, thanks for asking. I'll be heading out Oct. 3rd with the crossbow and he will most likely tag along. He enjoys the cabin but not quite ready for the stand. I hope your family is doing well too. Good luck with your crossbow this year. I just got my new one sighted in from the treestand last weekend.