12 Point Antler Restriction A Mistake?
It’s a cold, calm morning in early November; you’re bundled up in your treestand, expecting great things to happen. You hear the sound of leaves crunching behind you, and in an instant your heart begins to race its way out of your chest. Leaning to your left, you turn to see a big 10-point buck that’s broadside at 25 yards. There’s only one problem – you’re hunting in Oklahoma and this big buck is illegal to shoot because of proposed antler-point restrictions. A big 10-point could be illegal?
Yes, this big-bodied, 10-point buck would be illegal to harvest under the proposed legislation, House Bill 2978 states that, “…only antlered whitetail deer that have at least six points on one side of their rack may be hunted, killed, captured or otherwise taken.” The bill, which was authorized by Oklahoma state representative, Colby Schwartz, said that hunters have been flooding his office with complaints. Schwartz’s assistant, Caitlin Harwell, told NewsOK that, “[Hunters] are upset. My email is a little out of control.”
Under a new law proposal in Oklahoma (that was mistakenly written) hunters would have been forced to let bucks like this walk without ever raising their bow or rifle.
Harwell also clarified that the bill was never meant to be worded as it currently reads. The intent of the bill is to specify that hunters cannot shoot any buck with antlers that have a total antler count of less than six points. “Our staff lawyers are not avid deer hunters,” Harwell said. “It was never meant to be written as a 6-point on each side.” That seemingly small miswording could have caused massive problems for deer hunters in The Sooner State.
Both Rep. Schwartz and his assistant, Caitlin Harwell, are hunters, and say that the legislation will be corrected before it is ever sent before committee for review. The proposed legislation was drafted because of concerns brought about by hunters in the state, but Alan Peoples with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation doesn’t think that antler point restrictions will be an effective way to manage the deer herd.
Peoples noted that Oklahoma is currently ranked #5 in the nation by the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) for quality deer hunting, and that, “We might be doing something right.” Whether you are in favor of, or against antler point restrictions, I’m sure you’ll agree that a six-points-per-side minimum would have been disastrous. Thankfully, there were hunters in the office, as well as informed and alert hunting citizens that caught this mistake. Do you have antler point restrictions in your area? If so, do you feel that they have helped the quality of hunting or simply hurt the number of opportunities that you have to harvest a deer?
Re: 12 Point Antler Restriction A Mistake?
In PA we have a four point per side restriction. I believe it is a bad idea not because of te concept but for the pure fact that many two year old bucks have 4 points one one side an will be studs to come, but now hunters jump on the chance at any legal buck so much so that most deer with potential will not make it to maturity. And people wonder why PA doesn't produce record bucks with this new law.
Re: 12 Point Antler Restriction A Mistake?
Nice article Corey it really got me thinking.On the surface it seems to be a great idea but I would like to see the research on antler restrictions before I decide if it works or not. With that being said my personal standards for shooting a buck is 4x4 to the ears, then I look at the antler mass and age of the deer. As an example, 3 years ago I saw a nice 4x5 to his ears with tall G2's and G3's but we decided to let him grow another year as his mas was not there yet and I estimated his age as a 3 1/2 year old. Sadly another hunter on the next property shot him during the gun season two weeks later. When I want meat I shoot a doe if the herd can stand loosing some does. Right now I am not shooting any does as we are recovering from EHD. Bottom line is what makes this country great... freedom of choice and the more restrictions there are just limits our freedom. Education is the key to influencing our fellow hunters to do the right thing for your area.
Re: 12 Point Antler Restriction A Mistake?
Antler restrictions doesn't solve the problem. It's Deer number's. Shooting Doe's reckless like Wisconsin &Iowa lowers the Buck numbers also genetics are lost.
Re: 12 Point Antler Restriction A Mistake?
only parts of pa have a 4 pt per side antler restriction, mostly in the western part of the state. most of the state has a 3 pt. per side minimum. here in the eastern part deer seem to have larger antler size, but there are less hunters and less land to hunt every year also.
Re: 12 Point Antler Restriction A Mistake?
Where we are in western PA the restriction is working. My family has killed more quality bucks in the last few years than in the previous 15 years combined. Still have neighbors shooting any legal buck though. We have great genetics here but its hard to get any age.
Re: 12 Point Antler Restriction A Mistake?
Nice picture too bad it is not a 10 pointer as mentioned in the article. The issue with point restrictions is not all bucks will be giant 12 pointers regardless of how od they get. You see 4, 5 & 6 year old bucks that sport impressive 8 & 10 points. The goal should be to educate hunters on field aging deer so that they harvest a mature buck not a 2 or 3 year old.