Is this a legal spike? legal 3x

[bearhunter59]

You see a bull with a spike and double eyeguards on one side, and a forked horn above the ear and eyeguard on the other side.  Would this elk be considered legal in both a spike-only unit, and a three-point minimum unit?  It meets the definition for both type units...

[high country]

a spike is a single point. if it has more than a total of one point on one side it is not a spike. you can shoot a branch bull that broke the mainbeam off before the first browtine on one side as that is a single point, but a spike with a 1" sticker on each side could land you in a mess.

[billythekidrock]

Not a spike by definition because of the eyeguards. As for the other side with a fork above the ears it only counts as a 3 pt if the eyeguards meet the size requirement which at this time is one inch. It used to be four inches.

[GoldTip]

Actually I do believe that would be considered legal in both area's if you read the definitions in the regulations.  For the spike area it must have a single antler that does not fork above the ear on one side, so your would meet the definition of a spike the way I read the reg.  For a three point area the bull must have an eyeguard and a branched antler above the ear on one side, hence your description meets a 3 point minimum as well.  Maybe theres a F&G guy on the site who could confirm this.

[wastickslinger]

From the regulations:
"having at least one antler that that has only one antler point above the ear. An animal with a spike on one side is legal in spike only units."

bearhunter59- you are correct. It meets the definition of a spike in a spike unit and a 3 point in a 3 point min unit.

The big debate is that part that states only one antler point above the ear. An eyeguard forks below the ear. Many people have over looked the regulation on this one.  

[robodad]

So does that mean that eyeguards do not count as points ever ??  and if they do count how do you determine if it is above the ear, it seams that they are above the ear as they break through the skin on top of the head !! and if it is a spike with two eyeguards below the ear is it still a legal 3 point ??

[bearhunter59]

Check with the F&G guys...it must fork "above the ears", and all eyeguards fork out of the antler below the tip of the ear, therefore for the definition of a spike, eyeguards don't count.  But they do count for a three-poiint minimum unit, if they are longer than an inch.

[wastickslinger]

robodad- they do count as point, in a 3 point minimum area. In a spike only area the point must be a fork above the top of the ear. Thus, an eyeguard, coming off the main bean below the top of the ear, is not counted in a spike only area.

This is actually one of the only things that the game department has done to help protect hunters from being fined for accidents. What I mean by that is, it saves the butt of the person who can visibly see only a spike when the elk is standing there broadside, but after the fact they find out that the ear covered up the 2 " inch point down low. It allows for more room for error I should say. Accidents do happen and those brow points can be though to see if the critter is broadside because of the ears.

I am rambling so I will stop. But I hope you get the picture.

[billythekidrock]

Maybe I am wrong, but the way I understand it a spike with double eyeguards would be illegal..
From the book, "eyeguards are antler points when they are at least one inch long".
So a spike with a single, one inch eyeguard on both sides would be a two point?

[bearhunter59]

BTKR,  that definition is for a 3-point minimum.   Spike Bull Restriction definition says "...must have at least one antler that has ONLY ONE (emphisis added) antler point above the ear."  Doesn't matter how long that eyeguard is, it's below the ear, therefore this spike meets the legal definition "...only one antler point above the ear."

Now let's say we go with your understanding....and we're only talking this one side right now.  If it's not a spike, does that mean in your opinion, that it meets the 3-point minimum requirement?  Answer is No.  The definition and requirement state "...with at least 2 of those antler points above the ear."  So, if he doesn't meet the definition for a spike, and he doesn't meet the definition for a 3-point, what is he???    (I'm having fun with this)...

I beleive my imaginary bull meets both definitions....makes me wonder though what I'd do if I saw a bull like that out in the field for real....   Guess it depends on how late in the season it was and how desperate I am for meat in the freezer....

[billythekidrock]

BTKR,  that definition is for a 3-point minimum.   Spike Bull Restriction definition says "...must have at least one antler that has ONLY ONE (emphisis added) antler point above the ear."  Doesn't matter how long that eyeguard is, it's below the ear, therefore this spike meets the legal definition "...only one antler point above the ear."

I read that and looked at the pictures..of course the pictures don't show eyeguards..

Now let's say we go with your understanding....and we're only talking this one side right now.  If it's not a spike, does that mean in your opinion, that it meets the 3-point minimum requirement?  Answer is No.  The definition and requirement state "...with at least 2 of those antler points above the ear."  So, if he doesn't meet the definition for a spike, and he doesn't meet the definition for a 3-point, what is he???    (I'm having fun with this)...

That makes him lucky to live another year!

I beleive my imaginary bull meets both definitions....makes me wonder though what I'd do if I saw a bull like that out in the field for real....   Guess it depends on how late in the season it was and how desperate I am for meat in the freezer....

It is a little clearer for me, but still makes me wonder what a gamie's interpretation would be.

[ICEMAN]

You guys are confusing the crap out of me! So what is this? : 

[bearhunter59]

those are pics of a 2x2 that would classify as a spike in the spike only unit....In my opinion...

[kirkl]

bearhunter is right, that would be a legal spike in a spike only unit, guaranteed, better be banging away.

[billythekidrock]

So if I understand correctly..this would qualify as a spike in a spike unit?