New antler restrictions announced
Barry Halvorson sports@leader-news.com

Wharton County is one of several counties in the state that have adopted antler restriction regulations for the deer hunting season, opening Saturday.

And restriction regulations are something Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Scott Blackburn will be looking for this year. If you do shoot a deer that doesn't meet the legal definition, he said you're better off admitting to the mistake than trying to cover it up by leaving the deer in the field.

According to state hunting regulations, harvesting an illegal deer is a Class C misdemeanor that will go before a justice of the peace court with a fine ranging from $25 to $500.

"In addition, there is also restitution to the state depending on the die, ant- lers, gender and age," he said. "That could run over $1,000 if it has good girth, but the antlers are just not wide enough."

But leaving it in the field brings an even heavier punishment.

"We know it happens," he said. "At one point in time, every game warden sees something like that. It is regarded as a wanton waste of game and you do go to jail for that."

If a hunter does harvest a deer that doesn't meet specifications, Blackburn said to tag it like any other deer.

"Then contact your local game warden, usually through the sheriff's office, and let them know what happened," he said. "If you call, you stand a better chance than the guy that doesn't call and we see them with it at the deer camp or the gas station on the way home. It's always best to admit the mistake. I can't guarantee you won't be ticketed, but we do have some discretion."

The best way to avoid a problem is to be familiar with the antler restrictions and be ready to pass up a questionable shot.

"My rule of thumb is that if you have to look at a deer more than once or twice it probably isn't legal," he said. "If you have to look over and over then don't shoot. I remember issuing one citation where it was a thick horned deer and the person admitted looking four or five times before taking the shot. Each time you look, you want it to be legal even if it isn't. You should be able to tell right off the bat."

And harvesting a deer on your own personal property doesn't mean you can shoot anything you want.

"The regulations still apply," he said. "You can't just shoot what you want just because it's on your land."

For more information, pocket hunter guides are available at all license sales locations in counties with the antler restriction regulation.