Pa Trophy Man

it happens, congrats on the clean kill though

SKIDMARK

Instead of looking for buttons try looking at the shape of the head. A button buck will have a flat head while a doe's head will be somewhat round. We all know that mistakes happen but this is just another way to try and avoid it from happening. Good clean kill though nothing to be ashamed of.

alwyshntn

this has happened to everyone and i've had it happen to often so i decide to only shoot mature does or yearlings not fawns yearlings which are 1 and a half old will usually be a least small spikes and if they do have buttons still they will most generally be very noticeable i know your feeling though its as bad as killing your nice potential 6 0r 8 pointers because with button bucks you just never know

Bukmastr

Sometimes its real hard to see the buttons. What helps me is to look at the shape of the head. Does have a rounded head with shorter hair. Bucks heads look like they have a big flat spot on top. At this time of the year, if its alone, its probably a button buck. Don't take it to hard, they fool everybody once sooner or later.

whitetail_fanatic

i know the feeling that has happened to me twice this year,one at fifty yards and one not 12 feet below my stand, i couldn't even tell it was a button buck until i ran my hand over its head

Buckfevr

Cut the backstraps into thin steaks, season with salt and pepper, quick fry in some hot butter. And you'll be saying holy CRAP those button bucks are tasty.

Seriously I did the same thing this year and felt a little bad, especially knowing the potential of the area. But it was a great hunt, a good hit and a quick kill. I'm not going to feel bad when it goes like that.

jdreddish

Happened to me a few weeks ago, I shot a "doe" but killed a button buck...[:@]

I was actually upset about it for a while. It happens though.

Eagleone

Happened to me last year. Little button buck about 5 minutes before last shooting light. It came in and would have sworn it was a doe took the shot (18 yards) and low and behold a buck -- thankfully it was given an anterless tag as I had only one more buck tag open and would have hated to have had to use it on the little one.

rybohunter

I'm very suprised at the frequency this seems to occur in archery season. Small compact binos may help you guys to further avoid this in the future. Bow ranges it shouldn't be difficult to ID buttons.

HuntingBry

Yeah, it happens to most hunters at one time or another. Don't beat yourself up about it. Congrats on the deer.