Been hunting for 15-20 years and for the first time ever tonight I killed a button buck, it was not dark yet but in came in quick and I didn't notice. In the past I have always let them walk but thought this one was a doe. Anyway every year I try to kill one doe for myself and then I kill another deer for a friend of mine for summer sausage. Typically I save the bucks for him since it is all going into sausage. I am assuming a young small (100-110 lbs) button buck would be similar to a small doe as far as the quality of the meat? I didn't want to give this meat to him and then up have some big old tough buck later in the year for myself to eat. Since I have several decent bucks on the wall I don't shoot bucks anymore unless they are worthy of being mounted.


Thoughts??

100 to 110 lbs button buck would be a big button buck, since they are usually a deer of the year 80 lbs would be a nice one. Never the less. think veal, it is good eating and almost a waste to put in sausage.

My weight guess might be off, it wasn't huge by no means. Either way thanks for the info.

I did the same last year unintentionally and could not tell the difference in the meat from the doe I shot later.

Thanks
I ended up keeping this deer for myself, I had a little of the burger this weekend and it was great.

I wouldn't think there would be any difference between a first year button buck and a first year doe. Both would be delicious if taken care of and properly processed.

Only time I ever shot a button buck the meat was incredibly mild! You couldn't even smell gamey-ness (which I don't mind at all) when browning the ground meat.

I have taken quite a few button bucks at a vineyard I hunt. The owner needs the population down so almost anything without horns is shot. We are still barely making a dent in the population.


Button bucks are delicious.