3 point or better units

[steen]

I wonder what other's opinions on this is.  Do you think the 3 point or better is system a good strategy or not?  I'd like it changed to 4 point or better maybe out to the ears minimum and give out youth tags or special draws for spikes or just shoot spikes.  This way they can grow bigger and weed out the inferior genes.  I've seen some huge bodied smooth two points (mulies) that shouldn't be passing on the genes and some yearling 3 points that should be. 

[boneaddict]

I am a huge proponent for 3 point or better.  Four or better wouldn't bother me either but will certainly make lots of folks scream.  What I am a proponent for though would be either a two point season or something of the like for youth.  There is a lot to say for two points that are out there.  They have been out there for YEARS, long before this all came about.  There is lots of hype for sure, and not sure how much of it can be proven except by common sense.  We all have to remember that does carry 50% of the genes as well.   

[jackelope]

buckle up...it's gonna be a 10 pager.

 

i can see 4 point or better being enforce-able but out to the ears minimum? not sure how one would enforce that.
a lot of guys who only want to shoot big deer would be for this but the bottom line is that those hunters are greatly outnumbered by meat hunters or guys who just like to kill deer and fill tags/freezers.

youth, or any for that matter, 2 point special permits wouldn't be bad, except a lot of young deer would get killed before they reach any potential.

[Buckmark]

I tend to lean more towards a limited number of tags for certain areas/gmu's but that will never happen, think the 3pnt+ rule works as long as people adhere to it, but there are alot of 2pnts hitting the dirt and being left and thats not helping either.
I wish the wdfw would let the kids, seniors have permits that were any deer, mulie or whitetail..

[boneaddict]

I know, this is one of those top 5 controversial topics.     It gets even more clouded when you watch deer change from year to year.  One year they are a blossoming 4, and the next they are a two.  

Buckmarks statement about some of these twos getting popped and left is also a good point as I used to comment on huge two points, how they survive the gauntlet as most would see that huge rack then stop to count........

Take this buck for example.   DO YOU REALLY THINK he'd survive or be turned down by 85% of the average hunting population. HELL I am a trophy hunter and I'd shoot him.  Now tell me is he bad genetics or good?
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[piled-up]

I think the three point min rule has done nothing but good for the area I hunt ! Some small buck tags for kids would be cool.
!

[boneaddict]

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[boneaddict]

Then there is this buck.  He looked like this for about 5 years.   Never changed.
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[carpsniperg2]

i also would not mind a 4 point min but the out to the ears would not work 2 many varies and people could cape it out and would not be able to tell so on and so forth. i also agree we need 2 manage the 2 points i have seen a come back of the moss back 2 is what i call them giant 2 points with no eye gaurds or other points we are talking some huge deer just poor genetics. deer in there prime 4-5 that are no more than 2 points we had a buck this year that i would of loved to have a 1" point because he was a giant pushing 25"x30" we called him king 2 but not a numb on his horn saw him many times and he is a prime type of animal to get out of the breeding pool and not pass that on.

[Caseyd]

Then there is this buck.  He looked like this for about 5 years.   Never changed.
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Looks like hes been on the wall more then 5 years....no wonder he hasnt changed 


I like the idea of youth tags. There has been a huge 2 point on our ranch for a couple seasons now and it would be a great oppertunity for a youth hunter(anyone for that matter) He is similiar to the one bone posted in pic 1 minus the eye guards

[alecvg]

I like the three point or better thing, but as bone said, I think there should be a two point season for youth, or diasbled, etc.  I don't think eyeguards should count as points though, it takes out all the good genetics, like in the methow, you rarely see a nice buck with eye guards (well, at least I dont).  It seems too many people shoot a young two point with eyeguards.  

[alecvg]

Then there is this buck.  He looked like this for about 5 years.   Never changed.
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Saw a buck almost exactly like that this year!  Couldn't put another point on him.

[boneaddict]

It seems too many people shoot a young two point with eyeguards.   

THats a good observation and anecdotally could be adding to the depletion of genes for trophy bucks.

[sako223]

Yes the eye guards often make the sale. My observations conclude that a two point system would be the way to go. So many are shot and left especially as success drops. On our family property the number of bucks has dropped to less than half since the three point rule. A 4 point rule would be a sure way to cut hunter numbers.

[PolarBear]

I'm all for a 3 point minimum for blacktail and whitetail (4 point if you count eyeguards on whities) and a 4 point min on mulies.  Have a special season or permit for spikes since studies have shown (at least in whitetails) that bucks that start out as small spikes usually are genetically inferior.  Have a special permit for mature mulie 2 points.