How to tag bucks with trash?

[giles]

@Boarhead shared a link this morning with a huge 6 point.

I raised the question of what would you tag that buck as? 6 point? 94 point? What would the legalities of that tag be? I ask because this year I tagged my buck as an 8 point. It was dark, raining and I felt like I was taking available time away from others families. It wasn't until we got it loaded up that I noticed another point.

Is it legally tagged correctly? I am honestly nervous about this post and it coming back to cost me money. I am not a hunter who knows how to score or the proper way. When using the app it just ask for how many points. What legally does ohio consider a point? I can't be the only person to wonder about this. Anyone know of a regulation that clarifies this? In today's age I don't like gray areas. Not with the growing greed involved with bucks antlers. I'd hate to possibly kill a good one and have it taken over some stupid shit like this. What are your thoughts?

 

[Gern186]

A point to be counted in the scoring system like buckeye big buck club needs to be at least 1 inch long.

 

[Boarhead]

I don't think they are gonna mess with a guy that crawls in Coyote dens. Lol I really doubt they would waste their time on something like that.. BUT! I bet they would if it were a new state or world record buck. They would come snatch that rack up really quick.

 

[giles]

I don't think they are gonna mess with a guy that crawls in Coyote dens. Lol I really doubt they would waste their time on something like that.. BUT! I bet they would if it were a new state or world record buck. They would come snatch that rack up really quick.

Right, so when it counts most it matters. I don't like that. I grew up with the thoughts of hanging a ring on it. Then it seemed to move towards an inch. I've also know people only claiming the mainframe. So, what is it? How would you feel if they came and took your trophy room and investigated this?

 

[Hedgelj]

Dave, I understand your concern but.....here's a contrarian viewpoint. Does it matter? I haven't shot a buck with antlers in a number of years but when I look back at my expired tags on the huntfishOH app I only see doe or button bucks, does the number of points actually show up on the tag? You purchased an either sex permit. You tagged it as an antlered deer (which are greater than 3") which is the only determining factor in the regulations. So as long as you can explain why you tagged it as an 8 point (it was a mainframe 8) or whatnot I think a good attorney could tell the ODNR to pound salt.

 

[hickslawns]

I'm with Hedge. The points are just them collecting data they can study. Not sure they analyze it with an ounce of common sense. Not sure they care about the herd. I'll give them credit for collecting the data. I put 9 on mine. I almost put 8 as well but it had a kicker. Crazy we double doubled that day and both had main frame 8 (plus one) bucks.

 

[giles]

Dave, I understand your concern but.....here's a contrarian viewpoint. Does it matter? I haven't shot a buck with antlers in a number of years but when I look back at my expired tags on the huntfishOH app I only see doe or button bucks, does the number of points actually show up on the tag? You purchased an either sex permit. You tagged it as an antlered deer (which are greater than 3") which is the only determining factor in the regulations. So as long as you can explain why you tagged it as an 8 point (it was a mainframe 8) or whatnot I think a good attorney could tell the ODNR to pound salt.

View attachment 191611

I like that. I'm telling everyone I killed a 30 pointer.

 

[giles]

I'm with Hedge. The points are just them collecting data they can study. Not sure they analyze it with an ounce of common sense. Not sure they care about the herd. I'll give them credit for collecting the data. I put 9 on mine. I almost put 8 as well but it had a kicker. Crazy we double doubled that day and both had main frame 8 (plus one) bucks.

It was a good day in the rain!

 

[Jackalope]

I don't think the state has a standard for classification of a point. In that case I would default to P&Y as a standard as it's an established and widely used standard that your lawyer can point to. Common use is a huge determining factor in courts used to make a judgement. It's hard for a prosecutor to win and you be found guilty if something is not expressly defined by law and everyone is doing that exact thing you're charged with, especially when an organization looked at as an authority in the field has a set standard that you followed.

"Number of Points on Antlers
To be counted a point, the projection must be at least one inch long, with the length exceeding width at one inch or more of length. All points measured from tip of point to nearest edge of beam"

 

[Jackalope]

The points are just them collecting data they can study.

This is true. However, providing "false" information during the check in process is against the law. I've seen the charge tacked on to other wildlife violations, but usually only when its obvious someone was being deceptive, like having a fiend tag an animal and they get caught.

 

["J"]

They’d have to prove intent. Did you intend to deceive? Nope, so no worries….

 

[giles]

I am taking a couple of things away from this so far.

1. It does not matter what you say for points.

2. They want it to be questionable so they can have access to your home.

3. The want to brag about your buck is the devils hand.

 

[Gern186]

I think you're reading too far into this personally. Keep it simple. Don't over complicate it.

 

[giles]

I am not worried worried about it. I didn't even put much thought into it until I seen that 6 point. How in the hell could you get an accurate count on something like that in the field? I would hate to have it come in question over a technicality. I am comfortable identifying what buck I killed with what tag and could argue why I tagged it what I did. Just shocking that there isn't an actual formality to this. Be nice to have a tagging station to take it to. Lol

 

[Boarhead]

I always liked the check stations..was fun seeing the deer getting checked in.

 

[Boarhead]

Right, so when it counts most it matters. I don't like that. I grew up with the thoughts of hanging a ring on it. Then it seemed to move towards an inch. I've also know people only claiming the mainframe. So, what is it? How would you feel if they came and took your trophy room and investigated this?

Let em come on in..I have metal tags for alot of my bucks and turkeys..everything else they have on file in their system.

 

[giles]

Let em come on in..I have metal tags for alot of my bucks and turkeys..everything else they have on file in their system.

Yep, I would also. I will likely take a closer look going forward, but it won't change me. I normally have it tagged in before I even put my hands on them or right afterwards. I will just have to slow down a little and pay attention. I wouldn't mind seeing some clarification on this from ohio.

 

[triple_duece]

How you gonna explain that alligator snapper you caught in your pond?

 

[Chancegriffis]

Yep, I would also. I will likely take a closer look going forward, but it won't change me. I normally have it tagged in before I even put my hands on them or right afterwards. I will just have to slow down a little and pay attention. I wouldn't mind seeing some clarification on this from ohio.

I tagged the buck I shot 2 years ago as a 10… had 16 “points”. I don’t really think too much about it lol

 

[giles]

I tagged the buck I shot 2 years ago as a 10… had 16 “points”. I don’t really think too much about it lol

Yep, seems like it is just a rough guess and good enough for people to identify it.