ORIGINAL: zak123
In Mississippi a buck must have 4 points or more and a 12" spread. You can shoot a doe as long as it doesn't have spots. This brings me to my question.
You are out hunting on private property. You do not have to tag your deer after you kill it. You see a nice sized doe out about 50 yards. You wait for a bit to see if she comes in. After several minutes she comes in to 27 yards and stands perfectly broadside. You stand up, draw back your bow, and shoot. You hit her perfectly. She runs about 15 yards and piles up. You go down to retrieve your doe. You notice that it is a button buck. The antlers are just poking up through the skin. You did not now that is was a buck when you shot. Do you report the button buck or do you sneak it out of the woods? If you get caught shooting a button buck you get a hefty fine and you can't hunt the next year.
I would report it and tell them it was an accident. There may be a chance they would let you off. If not I would take the heat. How about you guys?
Chances are regulations state that the deer must have four points and at least a 12-inch spread or it must be antlerless. The State Wildlife Departments know that accidents like this are more common than most people would like to admit, it's even happened to me. Saying "antlerless" rather than doe makes up for this.
In Washington a deer must have three points on one side or the other or must be antlerless. If you can not SEE the antlers above the hairline then it is considered and antlerless deer.
Side note: The shot I made on the button buck I mentioned was at about 175 yards with a rifle with no deer around to compare it to. For all I knew it was a doe. During archery season however you're going to notice whether the deer is big or small. I don't see how you could "accidentally" shoot a button buck or a fawn just out of spots at 20-30 yards.