Michigan antler restriction

[skeeter@ccia.com]

We went through that very restriction from Gary Alt a few years ago here in Pa. It was a hard sale for PGC. They did however change the law some and maybe this will even work in Michigan if the authorities are made aware of it. Those that require a 4 point on one antler restriction does make it hard to identify at times (brow tine) and yes we ended up with way too many 'illegal' bucks left laying in the woods. No matter what the laws, you will always have those that shoot then count. Now in Pa, we have to look for the '3 point up' to make it legal. Brow tine does not count as one of the up points. Another way I show guys to identify is what I call '2 windows'...... depends on how you want to call it.. 3 points up or look for the 2 windows made by the antlers before you shoot. This has been accepted by hunters now and it does give the deer a chance to grow some antlers. Some very inpressive ones at that. It all worked out for us here in Pa and I am sure it will there too. Most of us hid behing the same saying that we are not antler hunters but meat hunters.. believe me, you will see the light if you give it a few years to work for you. Enjoy the season...

[wrenchman]

Many areas already have antler restrictions and they work to some regards and the u.p.
Has set it up to you could have a choice.

[multibeard]

Michigan has what is called a COMBO deer licence. It lets a hunter take two bucks. His/her chice of weapons in open seasons. One buck has to be standard legal buck with at least 3 inches of horn on one side. Second tag has to be used on a deer that has at least "one antler that has four points longer than one inch on one side".

This does not seem to sastisfy the antler worshipers and they want further restrictions. I am always told to shoot a doe if I just want meat. That is fine if you have plenty of does but in my area the farmers shoot the heck out of every thing they can so does are not an opton if I want to have breeding stock left at all.

Luckily I have a farmer friend that actually has a deer problem that welcomes me to come and shoot deer on his farms. We have taken does off his farm to fill our venison needs and that of some of our other family members. Fact is my son shot another doe yesterday with his smoke pole.

[kt]

skeeter, i know ya'll have been growing them big out there for a long time on that side of the state. but honestly i have never seen antlers like what im seeing in buck contests for eastern pa, these deer look like something out of ohio and illinois.. maybe its the antler restriction... im thinking its the fact that i saw 1 other truck opening day of the season.. they sure get nice and big if they arent hunted
kt