It wasn't wrong to go out thinking I want to shoot something. I do that every time I go. The problem was in not recognizing the telltail signs of a young deer, short nose etc etc etc. It does happen and it's a real bummer when it does. I did it about7 or 8years ago. It wasn't a button, but it was a small deer. It was oneof those things where it appeared and I had to make a choice. I made a great 45 yard shot on a doe that couldn't have weighed more than 60 or 70 pounds where an nice doe should have been 110 or 120. It was the first fall and only a month or so after Len had his cancer surgury. He couldn't drag, pull or anything but wanted to go hunting. I told him I'd come out to the woods when I got off work and be there if he shot anything, don't try to move it yourself. So I just carried my bow and plopped on the edge of a field on a turkey seat. This deer popped out and wasn't sticking around so I just drew and shot. I was shocked when I got to the little bugger. It happens and we learn. I now take time to throw up the binos when I'm doe hunting and check for bumps and nose length.

That's funny stuff right there.


Anyways, we've all done it. We never hope to do it but ya just never know. Congrats on a good, clean kill brother.

Almost zipped a button last season. He was with his momma andhis sister. If it wasn't for the glasses I would have eaten him. It was amazing that he was basically the same size as his momma.
A BB might not have been your first choice but he will eat just fine. I am sure you can find something to beat yourself up over but don't let this be it.
Whatever will be will be

been there and done that....no sweat.

did that in muzzleloading. ooops.

the only way you could honestly feel bad about that is if you knew it was a buck. your in the clear dont worry about it.

In many of the places I hunt, I don't even check to see if they have buttons. A good portion of the properties I hunt are under development right now and I hunt while the dozers are pushing dirt...Im doing every deer I kill a greatjustice, the houses and businesses are growing like wild fire, the land is getting smaller by the month. I shoot whatever deer without antlers comes by. I won't shoot the small bucks b/c I don't want to burn a tag on them b/c I do have other places that are rural and I save my buck tags for those.

You made a legal kill, you learned a lesson, you have some venison to thank the Lord for and you'll grow as a bowhunter. We learn from our experiences and mistakes. It's what makes us who we are so enjoy the venny.

DITTO!!!

It ain't that bad, and if you didn't kill him, it's real likely someone else may have. Enjoy the venison, and take home a lesson learned, it's not worth getting all wrapped around the axle over. Hell I killed one being followed by 2 bucks one year after I'd already filled my buck tag, and was absolutely sure it was a doe, being trailed like it was and I was WRONG!!! Rather than get upset over it, I tagged him in, skinned him out, enjoyed some tenders, and bagged the hide to tan, as a memory of a little deer that had offered me an opportunity to feed my family.