You're reading it wrong.
It's not saying your spike has to be 5" or less it is defining a <5" spike as an antlerless deer.
It's saying you can either take an "anterless deer", which is what they consider it to be with a 5" or less spike, or an "antlered deer" that has 3 pts or more on one side. So a 6" spike would not fit into either classification, and would be illegal to take.
And yeah, it's kind of silly.
thats why multi tools have files.
I been hunting under these rules around here for years. It sucks in archery when you multiple 3 point 4 point but never a legal buck or doe walk under you.
This is how all the WMAs with 3 point rule are here in central.
I almost made a big mistake the first year they changed to this rule. I understood it wrong and I had a fork horn 4 point come in about 10 yards away. I was sitting on the ground and he was looking my direction. I didn't move for fear of spooking him. There was one chance to draw back and I didn't take it. He busted me.
About 5 minutes later a wonky racked 3 point came in. Two points on one side and a spike on the other side. He came in on the same trail the other one did.
Later that day I talked to the check station guy and he said I better be glad I didn't shoot either of them or I would have had to explain it to the man. I interpreted it as I could shoot anything under 3 points but I guess I was wrong...
Actually, read the rule closer. An antlerless deer is one with horns "less than 5 inches". So if you see one with 5" its not considered antlerless. Should just make an antlerless deer just that, no antlers at all or less than 1" above hairline.
