Family Hunting

Family weekend, week, hunting days start on the 24th of Dec. through the end of the season and the entire three weeks of the January season. You will see a lot of young bucks. I do not allow my hunters to shoot under eight point with a spread less than the tips of the ears, so please maintain the same standard. Additionally, I allow hunters to shoot long horn spikes with an unbranched antler longer than the ear, when the ear is laid up beside the horn. All of the young 1 and a 1/2yr old 40-60lb baby deer are sporting head gear. These do not qualify as shootable spikes. Match their body size to the mature deer around them and you will see the difference. Now, when he is all alone in the field it is harder to tell how big he is. Signs of an older deer would be a ponch looking belly, a sway looking back or a longer nose. Young deer have tight bellies and sleak straight bodies between their front shoulders and hind quarters. When you have a pile of does in front of you try to pick out some of the characteristics for practice.

Important Note: None of the above restrictions apply for young family hunters who have never harvested a deer, but will be going on their first hunt to actually pull the trigger. Anything with a hard horn counts and you better take lots of pictures for the blog and website.

Have a safe fun hunt. If I don't see or hear from you before hand, have a merry thanksgiving and a happy christmas and I'll be up some time during the hunting week with the Game Warden.

Love,
Thad

just kidding, the Game Warden has already been up and he usually only visits once a year