I'm having a little trouble navigating the PA website well enough to find wether or not there's a point restriction.

Headed to unit 5C in a couple weeks for my first whitetail hunt and am doing some final research.

Anyone here that can help and confirm?

Thanks

I live in 5c and we have a point restriction of 3 points on one side at least 1 inch long. Main beam counts as one point no matter how long.

do brow tines count in 5C? (they don't in 1B where I am at).

Yup, brow tines count as long as they are an inch long and main beams too so you just need one more point that is an inch long and he's a shooter.

How is the point restriction working out?  I wish we had them where I hunt.  We have it for the second tag, but I wouldn't mind it on the first.

It's working, i'm seeing bigger bucks now than i have ever seen.So far i have 3 nice eight points and the biggest six point i have ever seen on my trail cameras.It's only October 20th and who knows what will show up in November,

I do not like our point restriction It would be ok if nobody was aloud to shoot the smaller bucks but the juniors can. I can watch a smaller buck walk by me and over to a junior and he shoots it now how did me letting that buck walk and him shooting it help get bigger bucks. All that helped is he got to shoot a buck and I did not so I go without when I would have been really happy to take that buck. As far as I can see it is not helping get more bigger bucks in my area. I say if there is to be a point restriction then nobody can shoot smaller bucks I would not mind that and I am not alone in my thinking.    Widow

Thanks Customcrestor!
That's the info I needed.    

Hopefully a legal buck walks by:)

We should be happy the PA Game Commission allows a junior hunter to take any buck, regardless of antler size.  To me, increased opportunities for youngsters, 16 and under, will keep them interested in hunting.
I'm 52.  When I was 12 or 13 years old, hunting in PA, I would have been disappointed if I had seen a small buck and had to pass due to antler restrictions.  With years of experience under my belt, I'm happy to pass on small bucks now, knowing more chances will come.
There are definitely bigger bucks in PA since the antler restrictions were implemented, and the few small bucks taken by youth hunters does not significantly impact the population.

One thing I've noticed since our point restriction went into effect is the lack of smaller, sub-legal bucks. The reason has got to be the increased doe harvest that went hand in hand with AR's. There are a lot more button bucks being shot now during our new two week buck/doe concurrent rifle season. In spite of all the archery and muzzleloader kills in a year, the bulk of deer management comes from the rifle season.

Shoot the BB's and you don't see him be a forky next year.

That being said, I'm an opportunist who does not hunt antlers or really care much about it. I'll shoot if it's a legal deer. I shot a BB last week from the ground with my Abbott longbow and didn't think twice about "Let them go so they can grow". I'm happy and it's a trophy in my eyes.

Our area in 2C has the same 3 on a side restriction.

The quality of the bucks being shot all over the state has definitely benefited from the point restriction. It has taken some people more time to get used to the idea but I think overall when a hunter goes in the woods for deer there is a little more added to the hunt if you know there is the possibility of more mature animals being around. There are some big mature bucks running around in 5C on private as well as state land. Enjoy your hunt.

Jake,

Where are you going in 5c?  That's where we live and hunt.

Tom

Tom
PM sent

Here in 4E its 3 on a side wish it wasn't cuz I've seen the same buck the past 3 years, from a ways out he looks like a good 6pt but when he's within range you find out he is a really high pretty wid Y buck and has to be 5-6 years old.

The kicker is I passed on him my last youth season for a 8pt, and there's no youth hunters in our pack now.

Here is link to the Hunter's Digest - you can download the whole thing or navigate through the different sections and download them separately as PDFs.  http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=968783&mode=2

Also check out the "2009-18 White-Tailed Deer Management Plan" under "Deer Management" on this page:  http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/deer/11949

I found it to be really informative about PA's Deer Management Strategy.

I have not personally seen much help with the restrictions, as soon as they have 3 on a side they get shot anyhow. Now if it was 8 pt an up yes. But on public land no. I have seen less bucks then ever and they quality is about the same. Usually good deer killed is off private lands but it's always been that way.

PA has some confusing and not well written rules. Hey have gotten a little better though.  Like said 3 on a side brow times count but the brow has to be at least an 1" long so bring your binos

Jake, Good Luck on your first whitetail hunt.

Hopefullly Tom is pointing you in the right direction.      

I like the antler restrictions in PA. I think its been good for PA in general. Nice to hunt the big ones now and just watch the little bucks mature year after year.

Ron

Good info Sarah...thanks for posting!

Charlie...thanks for the wishes, I'm very much looking forward to it.