Texas Parks & Wildlife Department reminds hunters that in some counties you can only take a buck if its antlers have an inside spread of 13 inches or more, or if it has an unbranched antler.
This regulation is intended to allow the majority of bucks to grow older and create a more natural age structure in the herd, with mature bucks doing most of the breeding.
To help you estimate if a buck has 13 inches between the main beams, look at his ears. If an alert buck’s antler beams don’t extend beyond its ear tips, it’s probably not legal.
Refer to your Outdoor Annual for information on antler restrictions, bag limits and other need-to-know regulations.
Photo courtesty: TPWD
