who'd shoot this in a spike area.

[steeleywhopper]

As long as that eye guard branches off below his ear it's good to go. WDFW  makes us shoot "needle in a haystack" spikes so that thing is down if I'm looking at it.

The ear has nothing to do with the legal definition in a spike only unit.

We'll I stand corrected it states " does not branch more than 4 inches above where antler attaches to skull". I'm still shooting

[Slamadoo]

I actually faced this dilemma two seasons ago. Had a group of bulls trot by me on opening day. One of them was a 6 point with his right antler broken off. He had 6 on the left and an eyeguard and spike on the right. I thought about it but couldn't pull the trigger. I guess I felt like all it would take was one game warden who wanted to make it an issue even though I think it is legal under the description of the regs. In reality, I had a few seconds to make a decision. Every once in a while I kick myself for not shooting him. I think I made the right choice though.

[Skillet]

I think that is a gray area too, but a darker gray.  Definitely different than a natural grown "6 x 1". 

If you found a game warden with a chip on his shoulder, he's going to assume you shot a big bull and busted off the antler yourself...

I would shoot the bull in the pic, but would pass like you did on the "6 x broken".

[buddy01]

I hunted with a friend in Oregon, that got one just it. But we asked game dept. first. he said OK .got him next day. So I would yes.

[blindluck]

Looks legal to me.

[Hunter Henry]

Looks like under the 4 inch mark, I'd take him.

[270Flat]

Boom!

[Mike450r]

As long as that eye guard branches off below his ear it's good to go. WDFW  makes us shoot "needle in a haystack" spikes so that thing is down if I'm looking at it.

The ear has nothing to do with the legal definition in a spike only unit.

We'll I stand corrected it states " does not branch more than 4 inches above where antler attaches to skull". I'm still shooting

I made the same mistake in another spike thread.  So I checked where I read about the ears.  That is for 3 point or better areas at least 2 points must be above the ears.   As for this one,  I am shooting it and getting the biggest spike in the area.

[BIGMIKE]

I would shoot it in a heartbeat, wont even second guess! Then I'll have him mounted  proudly! That's a mature bull and he is legal. Very impressive driver side brow.

[Big6bull]

If it's legal. Congrats to the hunter, heck of a bull.

But I think since spike only rule is designed to restrict the amount of mature bulls taken. I think they should be true spike only. Not a fan of "technicalities" or grey areas. Rules need to be black and white period

[greenhead_killer]

Be on my wall this time next year

[jdb]

I would think the Game Warden would be looking close for saw and file marks?

i would think the game warden could pound sand

[jdb]

With all of these "is it legal" pictures lately it would be nice to get a GW to weigh in to see if we are right with our respective "assumptions"

If I can see that short side better and it looks like it isn't above the 4" and the short side doesn't split, I'm shooting.  But I would want a REALLY good look first.

i personally do not trust the word of game wardens, they'll tell you what ever they want right or wrong

[Biggerhammer]

I would think the Game Warden would be looking close for saw and file marks?

i would think the game warden could pound sand

  Last one I dealt with, I had a hard time defining him as a weasel or a ferret. All the same I guess.

[Jonathan_S]

From the picture it looks like it's lower than four inches from the base... I'd take him

  Most brow tines originate at the base anyway.