We are blessed to have pretty decent game regulations in Texas. In fact, to borderline Marxist states lake California and New York we have very friendly regs. However, there are a number that are on the ridiculous side so I thought we would have a little fun with them today.
Here are my top 5 ridiculous outdoors regulations (in no particular order)
1. Sauger Game Fish: The sauger, an obscure cousin of the walleye, which lives in a couple of Texas lakes is a game fish in Texas and the flounder is not. That means it is protected from commercial harvest. That is some out of whack priority, isn’t it?
2. No Baiting Hogs on Public Land: Baiting hogs is illegal on state public land in Texas. I can sort of understand this during deer season but why during the rest of the time open to hog hunting? We are trying to reduce hog numbers, so why is it illegal to use a method that is effective at bringing them within shooting distance?
3. It is illegal to use a dog to trail wounded deer in Angelina, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, and Walker counties. This is because the fact some people still use dogs to hunt deer (illegal) and officials are worried about people using the excuse they were trailing a wounded deer. Why restrict good, ethical hunters from finding wounded deer in these counties? The dog hunters are going to do their thing no matter what, so don’t hurt those who want to find their deer in the areas with the most dense forests in the state.
4. In Grayson County, no person may use a crossbow to hunt deer during the Archery-Only Open Season unless the person has an upper-limb disability and has in immediate possession a physician’s statement that certifies the extent of the disability. How silly is this?
5. 13-inch minimum inside spread antler requirement. I have written much on this one and believe this cheapens the hunting experience and takes individual choice out of the equation in many circumstances and hurts public land hunters in East Texas who cannot use feeders, etc.
What are your votes for Texas most ridiculous regs?
Grayson County is home to one of the state’s most ridiculous regs.
I can see why some seem useless, like number 1 and number 3, but the other ones seem very useful to me. Baiting hogs is great, but if you’re not picking up every bit of bait when you leave, you’re not baiting, you’re feeding! We’re over run with hogs already, do you really need to feed them?
The 13 inch rule has been the single best thing to happen to deer hunting in Texas. Now many counties actually have mature buck deer in the woods to hunt, instead of 1 1/2 year olds geting whacked as soon as they sprout an antler.
I wish all counties had the cross bow rule! Lets see, gun stock? check! trigger? check! telescopic sight? check! yea, that’s a gun that shoots arrows, fine by me, but unless you’re crippled, use “archery” equipment during “archery” season, thats why we have “general” season.
Chester! All 5 are RIDICULOUS!! There are lots more on the books. Do another 5 or 10!
We need more regulations to regulate the regulators! Regulators! – movie quote. The whole idea of being able to tell if a deer is 13 inches is unrealistic. Why not use a standard like “antlers must extend outside the ears” or something that a hunter can be more sure of.
“This is because the fact some people still use deer to hunt dogs (illegal)” WOW! I would like to have one of those deer.
I agree with the 13″ rule being ridiculous,I got a 12 year old girls who has taken her doe and is now ready for a buck. You think I’ll make her sit in an East Texas deer stand and wait on a 13″ deer that most likely won’t be seen? No, I’m taking her to Arkansas where they have more sensible buck management, like the 3-point rule.