How do you feel about this?

[pope and young]

What about a state wide spread limit in KY on bucks, even if it was 12"? Everyone would benefit from it, and maybe let the youth hunters hunt with out the limit, kids that have never killed one are super excited even if there first one is a small deer. I think almost all of the managment areas have a spread limit now, and they have it bc they know that good comes from it. I would also like to see the modern gun season either changed to shot gun and muzzel loader only or move it up in December or something like that. I want to see more and bigger deer and I'm sure everyone else wants the same. How do you feel, and do you think this will ever happen?

[redneck1377]

no I do not think that it will happen but people with deep pockets might get it anyway

[Xi Bowhunter]

Size limits would just lead to more deer not getting checked in because of "ground shrinkage". Let people kill what they want and be done with it.

[chucky]

http://www.kentuckyhunting.net/forums/showthread.php?t=57932

[teacher]

I wish the WMA in my county would go to a size restriction..

[kycowboy]

I think it's coming down to like everything else the one's with the money make the decisions not everyone hunts for a trophy alot of people hunt just for the meat

[coorsdrifter1]

Not every study done has proving size limits increase the trophy potential of the deer taken.You could just end up with 5-6 year old bucks with narrow racks breeding,when wider 3-3.5 year old bucks are shot because they are the 1st legal buck someone has seen all season.I personally (if I were going for a "trophy")would rather shoot a mature buck.Also,what one individual considers a trophy can be and usually is different than what someone else does.Ky is and has been producing large bucks for awhile now.The only thing I personally would like to see different would to allow an extra doe on the statewide license w/o having to buy a bonus pmt.

[Poorboy]

Maybe if we just enforce the regulations we have it may cause an improvement. Nah! that would may too much sense. :eek:

[retiredbowhunter]

do your trophy management on your own property...leave the rest of the state alone.

believe it or not...the world does not revolve "trophy" hunting...:p

[quackrstackr]

Using the search function will yield you quite a bit of reading on this same topic.

[naturalelite]

Using the search function will yield you quite a bit of reading on this same topic.

Some reading better than others...


Pope and Young you will fit in nicely here there is a group here that have your same mind set. :rolleyes:

[huntr467]

just what we need ...more rules:rolleyes:

[Devil Anse]

guess I dont have a dog in this fight, but in Va there are a few WMA with Antler Restrictions, one county has said that the first buck can be what ever and then AR's on the second buck and two or three others have made it mandatory to check a doe before killing a buck. I still know guys that wont kill a doe, they remember the old days, but they will kill the first thing comes along with horns. Not good management practice in my opinion. Think you guys are a few steps ahead of VA.

[Rackophrenic Rick]

Antler spread restrictions would simply be yet another reg that is beyond the ability to enforce. Besides it is not that great of a mangement tool. What we need in Kentucky is not another reg but a change in hunter mentality to a win/win for all kinds of hunters. We need to self govern and then there will be less desire to try to pursuade governing bodies to make more rules. I'm all for bigger bucks but the only way we can get there is for deer hunters as a group to agree to let immature bucks live long enough to become mature and possibly trophy class. The hunters in KY are not at the point of reaching agreement on that at this time. There are those that hunt for mature bucks and those that simply hunt deer. Neither are wrong, just have different motivations. I personally have learned over time that those that choose to hunt for mature large racked bucks exclusively are a distinct minority among deer hunters. Sure most hunters wouldn't mind taking a Booner but very few commit to taking nothing but a wall hanger worthy of a record book. Therefore it is best that those in the minority that want trophy deer, manage their land and work to convince their neighbors to manage their land for the same goal, if you can. I promise you, you will not convince the majority by forcing them to do something they care not to do by regulations. Few are those that eat, breathe, and live deer hunting in the manner that it takes to consistantly take mature bucks. Which is understandable because, to hunt exclusively for trophy size bucks requires more time and attention than most folks can afford. Besides, trophy hunting does little to control animal populations at a State Level. We are never going to see KY become a model like a private trophy ranch in Texas or Illinois. Why because their are too many varibles that play into the plot outside of a fenced inclosure. Idea conditions only exist in a closed environment. Just be thankful we can all hunt deer, do what you can do to manage your property to produce the kind of deer you want, work on your neighbors and try to get them on your side. Then let the rest of the folks do their thing and hope together we can all be a positive impact on the state herd to the point where we conserve the resource and deer hunting remains in the future for our kids.

Be like me, hunt for the big racked deer but be ready to eat tag soup or try to get invited to a friends house for supper that hunts deer.:D

[JDMiller]

Antler spread restrictions would simply be yet another reg that is beyond the ability to enforce. Besides it is not that great of a mangement tool. What we need in Kentucky is not another reg but a change in hunter mentality to a win/win for all kinds of hunters. We need to self govern and then there will be less desire to try to pursuade governing bodies to make more rules. I'm all for bigger bucks but the only way we can get there is for deer hunters as a group to agree to let immature bucks live long enough to become mature and possibly trophy class. The hunters in KY are not at the point of reaching agreement on that at this time. There are those that hunt for mature bucks and those that simply hunt deer. Neither are wrong, just have different motivations. I personally have learned over time that those that choose to hunt for mature large racked bucks exclusively are a distinct minority among deer hunters. Sure most hunters wouldn't mind taking a Booner but very few commit to taking nothing but a wall hanger worthy of a record book. Therefore it is best that those in the minority that want trophy deer, manage their land and work to convince their neighbors to manage their land for the same goal, if you can. I promise you, you will not convince the majority by forcing them to do something they care not to do by regulations. Few are those that eat, breathe, and live deer hunting in the manner that it takes to consistantly take mature bucks. Which is understandable because, to hunt exclusively for trophy size bucks requires more time and attention than most folks can afford. Besides, trophy hunting does little to control animal populations at a State Level. We are never going to see KY become a model like a private trophy ranch in Texas or Illinois. Why because their are too many varibles that play into the plot outside of a fenced inclosure. Idea conditions only exist in a closed environment. Just be thankful we can all hunt deer, do what you can do to manage your property to produce the kind of deer you want, work on your neighbors and try to get them on your side. Then let the rest of the folks do their thing and hope together we can all be a positive impact on the state herd to the point where we conserve the resource and deer hunting remains in the future for our kids.

Be like me, hunt for the big racked deer but be ready to eat tag soup or try to get invited to a friends house for supper that hunts deer.:D

Rick .... our opinions have differed on many things but I have to agree with your statements here. Very well put.

[mudhole crossing]

were producing plenty booners and everybody is getting to enjoy what they like to do best, just hunt. from what ive seen, theres plenty bigguns out there if u want to hold out, but everbody doesnt like to hold on to their tags. ky is a state where both sides have a chance to fill their tags whatever way they see fit. i say leave it be.

[shot'm&hook'm]

I like the idea of the spread limit but I'm like alot of the other guys I don't think it will work like XI said their is the ground shrenkage factor! And not all mature bucks have a wide rack. I saw a 4 pt. this yr. with a spread of 14" and I've saw 8's and 10's with 8" spreds so thats not a great rule! I do like the Idea of calling in a doe first! this sounds like a great way to get rid of some of these does.
Say a guy has a camera out the week before season and gets a pic of a monster. First thing he is going to do is shot a doe on opening morning so that he can have a shot at that big boy when he walks by. But as we all know we usualy never see him. This would greatly impact the buck to doe ratio thus helping the herd and buck development!

[kyhunter270]

I am all for killing a nice mature buck that I would hang on the wall, and that is my choice but I have no problem with another killing a smaller buck because it may be his first or a childs first. I also believe that you should kill off the trash horn bucks that roam the woods with 14 inch fork horns... Some may disagree but they too need love and will find a lonely doe to mate with and pass on the trash..... The taste difference in a young buck or doe is far better than an old "Mr. Majestic" but again as long as you hunt within the guidelines and you leave the woods with a smile on your face then I am happy for you......

[Devil Anse]

I'm in line with the rest of you guys. excellent points Racko Rick!
I may be on the wrong forum or thread and please forgive me for my ignorance, but how do your tags work?
1 buck a year? VA comes with 3 antlered 3 antlerless. I hunted Illinois once before ...1 buck per seems to make a big difference.

[GSPonGrouse]

Antler spread restrictions would simply be yet another reg that is beyond the ability to enforce. Besides it is not that great of a mangement tool. What we need in Kentucky is not another reg but a change in hunter mentality to a win/win for all kinds of hunters. We need to self govern and then there will be less desire to try to pursuade governing bodies to make more rules. I'm all for bigger bucks but the only way we can get there is for deer hunters as a group to agree to let immature bucks live long enough to become mature and possibly trophy class. The hunters in KY are not at the point of reaching agreement on that at this time. There are those that hunt for mature bucks and those that simply hunt deer. Neither are wrong, just have different motivations. I personally have learned over time that those that choose to hunt for mature large racked bucks exclusively are a distinct minority among deer hunters. Sure most hunters wouldn't mind taking a Booner but very few commit to taking nothing but a wall hanger worthy of a record book. Therefore it is best that those in the minority that want trophy deer, manage their land and work to convince their neighbors to manage their land for the same goal, if you can. I promise you, you will not convince the majority by forcing them to do something they care not to do by regulations. Few are those that eat, breathe, and live deer hunting in the manner that it takes to consistantly take mature bucks. Which is understandable because, to hunt exclusively for trophy size bucks requires more time and attention than most folks can afford. Besides, trophy hunting does little to control animal populations at a State Level. We are never going to see KY become a model like a private trophy ranch in Texas or Illinois. Why because their are too many varibles that play into the plot outside of a fenced inclosure. Idea conditions only exist in a closed environment. Just be thankful we can all hunt deer, do what you can do to manage your property to produce the kind of deer you want, work on your neighbors and try to get them on your side. Then let the rest of the folks do their thing and hope together we can all be a positive impact on the state herd to the point where we conserve the resource and deer hunting remains in the future for our kids.

Be like me, hunt for the big racked deer but be ready to eat tag soup or try to get invited to a friends house for supper that hunts deer.:D
I agree well said.
If it is not broke don't fix it.
It is hard to convince the tree stand biologist on here that they could be over thinking and over regulating things. Let the guys at the KDFWR do their jobs give them input and all the info you can but let them make the decisions they are getting paid to make, and have been trained to do. I go to a doctor when I am sick and talk to a lawyer when my ex is giving me grief.

[Highbow]

The spread limit doesn'twork on the WMAs, that I have watched for years myself. It gets a lot of deer left laying in the woods or taken home without being checked in or just hung in a tree and then the hunter returns to recover the rack. Yes, it does happen, right here in KY.

[Rob]

This dead horse has been beaten many times before but I'll bite.

Passing on small bucks is an important part of both QDM & TDM, but only a part. A much harder part to implement is adequate doe harvest. While you'll find it impossible to convince some folks to pass on small buck, that is a cakewalk when compared to trying to convince them to "rightsize" the doe herd. And that may be even more important for meeting your goals in the long run.

I ate buck tag soup myself this year. That was my decision. While I probably saw 50 bucks, I didn't see a single one that I wanted that I could legally harvest. One day, I saw 8 bucks, including a 2 1/2 year old that was knocking on a score of 130. If he lives, he will be a true trophy in a couple of years.

Your idea isn't "bad", it just isn't fair to the many deer hunters who pay money to hunt just like we do but whose main objective is to kill a deer not kill a trophy deer. Plus our one buck per person rule already does a good job of making sure there is not an overharvest of bucks.

[hollandhunter]

My family and I hunt for meat. And the little ones taste better. But you are right. You could always put a size limit on the little bucks and it would help. But you will always have some people that dont care and that is there choice if they want to kill a small deer. I dont think people should be allowed to tell them what they should kill everyone is different.Im just going to tell you I will shoot any size with my bow because I think any deer with a bow is a good deer...

[Joe Bryan]

Maybe if we just enforce the regulations we have it may cause an improvement. Nah! that would may too much sense. :eek: I totally agree one buck and done is perfect! Just enforce it!

[huntindawoods]

Like Xi said just room for more deer to be left or not checked in b/c of ground shrinkage probably never would go over to well for those who are willing to try

[DearDoctor]

Myself, I like big Racks. Some guys don't. Lets not try to legislate the entire state just for the trophy hunters. Oh, did I say I like big racks!:)

[johnboy]

do your trophy management on your own property...leave the rest of the state alone.

believe it or not...the world does not revolve "trophy" hunting...:p

couldn't agree more!!!!

people need to spend more time hunting and developing their habitat, instead of trying to make rules for the rest of us..

[moe40356]

I Think A Speard Limit Is A Good Ideal If You Could Inforce It!
But The Same People Who Break The Laws We Have Now Will Brak This Law To

[globemountain]

Size limits would just lead to more deer not getting checked in because of "ground shrinkage". Let people kill what they want and be done with it.

Right on!!!!!!!!!

[HalfBass]

Statewide antler spread regulations would toss the whole telecheck system out the window wouldn't it? I mean wouldn't they have to verify each kill? What would happen to the guy that kills the 10.5 inch spread deer? Would they take the deer and smack him with a big fine? There is such a thing as too much regulation.

[ptbrauch]

Just to make it clear to anyone else who proposes this idea, not every deer hunter in Ky is concerned about antler size. There's at least one of me here.

[struttin&ruttin]

I am probably a little late on this one but I would love to see something done. We do try to manage our own place and NEVER shoot small bucks. The problem is the fools one two sides of us will shoot anything. This past year I watched a small buck walk right past me this year. I enjoyed watching him. He walked another 300 yards and crossed the property line. I couldn't see him but of course I heard the bozo shoot him. Then within 15 minutes he is talking, laughing and carrying on. You would have thought he killed a Booner.

I do not like to see the government legislating everything about our lives. I also think every trophy is in the eye of the beholder, but come on guys. Some people never grow up. It is one thing if a kid is just starting to hunt. Some guys never learn.. Just my opinion...:rolleyes:

[philipfleek]

This is real easy-Just KILL THE DOES!!!!!!! the wma's i hunt have no food to encourage antler groth. The wma's up here flat out suck-were lucky we got grass!!!!!!! Saw 1 5 point i let live three times this year.He aint going to get any bigger. Scrub bucks all nky has:mad:

[philipfleek]

My family and I hunt for meat. And the little ones taste better. But you are right. You could always put a size limit on the little bucks and it would help. But you will always have some people that dont care and that is there choice if they want to kill a small deer. I dont think people should be allowed to tell them what they should kill everyone is different.Im just going to tell you I will shoot any size with my bow because I think any deer with a bow is a good deer...
AMEN BROTHER!!!!

[arshooter]

if people buy their tags use em,,, eat em antlers are tooth picks too many let em hunt...

[lkj118]

I am probably a little late on this one but I would love to see something done. We do try to manage our own place and NEVER shoot small bucks. The problem is the fools one two sides of us will shoot anything. This past year I watched a small buck walk right past me this year. I enjoyed watching him. He walked another 300 yards and crossed the property line. I couldn't see him but of course I heard the bozo shoot him. Then within 15 minutes he is talking, laughing and carrying on. You would have thought he killed a Booner.

I do not like to see the government legislating everything about our lives. I also think every trophy is in the eye of the beholder, but come on guys. Some people never grow up. It is one thing if a kid is just starting to hunt. Some guys never learn.. Just my opinion...:rolleyes:


fools? bozo?

all because he celebrated after harvesting a deer that you didn't want to shoot? i don't think that would make him either of these.

[machflite2]

I am lucky to be a landowner and dont have to worry about a place to hunt but for many people spots to hunt are getting scarce. I think it is great to have bigger nicer deer in the state and I for one have benefitted from qdm practices, but I also see the influx of out of state hunters and farmers who once would let you hunt now are recieving big lease payments from out of state hunters. I dont have any problem with hunters from other states but everyone on this forum must admit it is a bargain for out of staters to hunt here. Fish and wildlife is always looking for ways to increase revenue out of state fees would be the place to start. I realize This seems off the subject of antler spread but I see it as part of the same issue.

[Labrador]

Instead of increasing out-of-state license fees or imposing antler restrictions on a statewide basis, why don't we have a BIG BUCK TAG? KDFWR could charge $250 to residents and $1,000 to non-residents. Your statewide tag would come with a limited-antlered deer permit and an antlerless permit, but the limited-antlered deer permit would be limited to bucks scoring under Pope & Young minimums. The BIG BUCK TAG would need to be purchased if you intended to shoot a buck that met Pope & Young minimums. It's a win-win! Heck, one could even shoot two bucks if they chose to purchase both tags...but only one of them could be over the P&Y minimum.

[365archer]

I say if you like it shoot it. I personally shoot every doe that i can legaly because i like the meat. When it comes to my buck tag, he needs to be a wall hanger. Let the KDFWR make the call. They seem to be doing a pretty decent job.

[Rob]

Lab,

I don't think much of your idea of a "Big Buck" tag. I grew up on a farm, still own the family farm, & am now busting my butt to make heavy payments on another farm. Income from crops help to send my kids to school & put shoes on their feet. All the while, deer are making a living for themselves on crops growing on my land. Now, you're telling me that I can't shoot a buck who has literally been eating up my profits if he is too big or else I will need to pay a $250 trophy fee? That is about the most goofy idea I have ever heard.

[Labrador]

Rob. See the definition of sarcasm: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sarcasm

[owcobro]

One buck a year is all the QDM we need. Poaching is the biggest obstacle to having good deer. KDFW is doing a great job managing the herd, we need more law enforcement.

[Xi Bowhunter]

Just to make it clear to anyone else who proposes this idea, not every deer hunter in Ky is concerned about antler size. There's at least one of me here.

I am with you. I like big bucks, but I'll shoot what I see fit. After the slump I am having, the next nice 6 pointer or basket 8 that walks within bow range will probably be a dead deer, and I don't think I will be happier.:)

[Rob]

Lab,

Sorry for being a little slow on the uptake there. But, in my defense, you have to admit that so many folks have put forth such a butt load of moronic proposals ("Let's not shoot any bucks for 3 years & then only piebalds that are at least 7 1/2 years old in January with a slug gun while standing on one leg... ") that it gets a little hard to tell when someone is being facetious.

I'll try to be a little less literal in the future. ;)

[Bigspringhunter07]

Antler spread restrictions would simply be yet another reg that is beyond the ability to enforce. Besides it is not that great of a mangement tool. What we need in Kentucky is not another reg but a change in hunter mentality to a win/win for all kinds of hunters. We need to self govern and then there will be less desire to try to pursuade governing bodies to make more rules. I'm all for bigger bucks but the only way we can get there is for deer hunters as a group to agree to let immature bucks live long enough to become mature and possibly trophy class. The hunters in KY are not at the point of reaching agreement on that at this time. There are those that hunt for mature bucks and those that simply hunt deer. Neither are wrong, just have different motivations. I personally have learned over time that those that choose to hunt for mature large racked bucks exclusively are a distinct minority among deer hunters. Sure most hunters wouldn't mind taking a Booner but very few commit to taking nothing but a wall hanger worthy of a record book. Therefore it is best that those in the minority that want trophy deer, manage their land and work to convince their neighbors to manage their land for the same goal, if you can. I promise you, you will not convince the majority by forcing them to do something they care not to do by regulations. Few are those that eat, breathe, and live deer hunting in the manner that it takes to consistantly take mature bucks. Which is understandable because, to hunt exclusively for trophy size bucks requires more time and attention than most folks can afford. Besides, trophy hunting does little to control animal populations at a State Level. We are never going to see KY become a model like a private trophy ranch in Texas or Illinois. Why because their are too many varibles that play into the plot outside of a fenced inclosure. Idea conditions only exist in a closed environment. Just be thankful we can all hunt deer, do what you can do to manage your property to produce the kind of deer you want, work on your neighbors and try to get them on your side. Then let the rest of the folks do their thing and hope together we can all be a positive impact on the state herd to the point where we conserve the resource and deer hunting remains in the future for our kids.

Be like me, hunt for the big racked deer but be ready to eat tag soup or try to get invited to a friends house for supper that hunts deer.:D
Rick,
great input on this topic..

[struttin&ruttin]

Well I am definitely not one for more restrictions but I do believe any change would be good over what we have now. If something was implemented then at least the honest hunters would attempt to follow the laws. The trash out there that call themselves hunters already break the rules would continue I am sure. However, if even just the honest hunters followed the rules there would be some improvement.

You cannot manage most pieces of ground in KY without the people around you implement some type of change too. How can you do the right thing on 200-300 acres when people around you implement brown and down?

JMO