I agree, I think a judge would kick that out, with no written definition!!
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I agree, I think a judge would kick that out, with no written definition!!
Nothing within the TPWD regulations have a 'trophy" buck associated with the exiting regulations and Antler Restrictions. I believe this is what you are getting confused on, since nowhere within the Antler Restrictions says you may take a "trophy" buck. Those counties only have the definition of a legal buck(s) that may be taken within those counties with the Antler Restrictions.
"I live in a two buck county, but only one buck can be a trophy and I don't know what defines a trophy." Where in the regulation/Antler Restriction below does it state either of the legal bucks are a 'trophy'? This is where you are confused since it is not stated within our regulations or our Parks & Wildlife Statutes.
Special Antler Restrictions:
- Antler restrictions apply only in certain counties (see County Listings, pgs. 80-103). In these counties, the bag limit is two legal bucks, but only ONE may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. In these counties, a legal buck deer is defined as having:
• a hardened antler protruding through the skin AND;
• at least one unbranched antler; OR
• an inside spread measurement between main beams of 13 inches or greater (does not apply to a
buck that has an unbranched antler).
- IT IS UNLAWFUL TO TAKE MORE THAN ONE BUCK WITH AN INSIDE SPREAD OF 13 INCHES OR GREATE R IN A COUNTY
WHERE ANTLER RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT.
All other bucks are ILLEGAL to harvest. Shooting/harvesting/killing any buck other than those that meet the Antler Restriction requirements, would result in a game violation which then results in County Court costs for the county it was killed in plus a Civil Restitution fine from TPWD for the replacement of the illegal buck which base cost is $881.50 for ANY illegal buck and then it is scored by Boone & Crockett for every measureable inch of antler which is charged per inch. Reason I know this is that I work for the TPWD.
Sounds like you are confused with listening or hearing what others have said to someone or told to you about a trophy buck.
In all other counties that DO NOT have the Antler Restrictions, a trophy buck to someone is in their own mind what they want it to be since the bucks are not restricted within those counties.
Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett Club are not a group or extension of TPWD, they are their own organization, not a state agency.
If you look at my previous reply to your question, there is nothing that a judge/JP or an Attorney could throw the case or citation out since the word 'trophy' does not or is not associated with the Antler Restriction in any way nor is it written as such. Hate to say this, but you either have listened to someone or heard someone say that the 13" or greater between the main beams is a 'trophy' buck.
Breambuster, I was going on conversations with two game wardens. Plus a third retired game warden I've know for more than 30 years. The term trophy didn't come up
until they made a statement about a trophy buck that was take illegally and how the fine was determined. That is what sparked my questions because I couldn't find
the word trophy in the handbook. The older retired game warden told me the term trophy should not have been used and I agree. I just did not want to have an issue
here on my own property since my nephew did have an issue and he has now resolved his mistake. I can't afford his kind of mistakes, so I was looking for answers.
Thanks for your opinion and response. I do know how I will handle the situation if it ever happens to me. I got over "buck fever" many, many years ago. LOL
Trophy Buck is anything that "blows up your ego".
In Indiana it would be a keeper on the wall.
Thank goodness I got over my ego. Egos cause folks to trip and stumble. At my age, I need to keep my balance as much and as long as I can. LOL
I was born and raised in Texas and this whole business of Antler Restrictions is just a BUNCH OF CR*P. It was pushed by large hunting ranched so they could increase fees for thropy deer and once they got the state on their side it spread like wildfire because the state now had another way to extort money from people. I don't care if a person works for the TPWD or not you know I am telling you the true. ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. I am not saying a person should break the law. When a person kills a deer they just need to take it home an process it themselves. The more people you keep out of your business the better off you are. Period!!!!!!!!!