Howdy,

I'm looking to shoot my first buck this year. I'll be hunting in Jackson and Lavaca county. TPWD website says there are antler restrictions:

quote:

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Special Antler Restrictions do not apply to properties for which Level 2 or Level 3 MLDPs have been issued. For counties with Special Antler Restrictions, a legal buck deer has:

1. at least one unbranched antler, or
2. an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. The inside spread requirement does not apply to any buck that has an unbranched antler.

Not more than one buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater may be taken.

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What exactly is an "unbranched" antler? Does anybody have a picture of one? Also, what part of the antlers constitute the inside spread? I'm a little worried that I won't be able to judge 13".

Thanks for your help in advance.

Unbranched is just as it says, no forks (spike)

As for judging 13". If the horns are "outside the ears" it is safe to assume it's 13" If they are at the tips or inside...let him walk.

Definitely unbranched:

Look at the two images on the bottom left



This deer has 2 unbranched antlers

hockey,
where did you get that?

6 points on one side is part of the rule?

quote:

---

What exactly is an "unbranched" antler? Does anybody have a picture of one? Also, what part of the antlers constitute the inside spread? I'm a little worried that I won't be able to judge 13".

Thanks for your help in advance.

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An 'unbranched antler' buck must have at least ONE antler than has no fork. The other side can be either an unforked antler OR forked. As long as ONE antler is unbranched, it is legal.

As far as at least 13" wide goes- the best way to judge is to look at the ears when the deer is alert. The inside of the antlers must be wider than the tips of the ears.

LEGAL:




ILLEGAL:


Special Antler Restrictions from TPWD website

quote:

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hockey,
where did you get that?

6 points on one side is part of the rule?

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This portion of the law has been eliminated. It was part of the restriction from 2002 thru 2004.

that's what I thought

nevermind....

[This message has been edited by str8shot1000 (edited 11/23/2009 9:31a).]

Also the "unbranched" term is a bit misleading. If one side only has 1 point, it is legal; therefore, a spike with a little kicker that is less than an inch does not count as a point and is legal.

Thanks for all the help everybody those illustrations help a lot. Have a great day.

Unbranched means at least one spike. 13' ~ outside of ears when they are up.



He is legal because he has one unbranched. ~ 3 points are legal.

Got him!!!! Thanks for the help guys!