Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Hey all -just wondering if any of you have ever by mistake shot a button buck thinking it was a doe? I have!I am in a managed club and if they knewIdid thatI would have got a $250 fine to help put gravel on our camp road!!!!When they asked "was that you that shot", Isaid nope, must have been someone onWMA!(I still taged the deer and took it home with me). ---Button bucks sure are good eat'n!!;)

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Not in bow season Years ago I did with a gun.But have learned and sharpened my skills so it dont happen again.I only shoot the biggest doe and usually a lone small deer around hereusually is a button.Plus a button is the dumbest deer in the woods

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

And if one of the club members reads this and recognizes your handle they might throw you out of the club for being dishonest. It would have been better if you had of accepted your responsibility and error.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

This is a mistake that can be easily made. Once this mistake is made, you learn to look a little closer before pulling the trigger. This is a mistake that can be forgiven, but should never become a habitual mistake!
A few years ago, I was watching a group of small does to my right, and then I saw what I thought was a good doe off to my right. I didn't just take a snap shot, I glanced back at the small does, and sized them up against the large doe to my right, and decided to take it. Upon reaching this "doe," I realized that it was a button buck! I do not think that anyone else could have made me feel worse, or chewed me out as much as I did myself!
I tagged him with my doe tag, which is legal here in Texas, because neither antler had broken though the skin.
While chewing myself out and analizing my shot, I really began to see that there were a lot of things that I could have been looking for when doe hunting, besides size and a "skin head!"
In your situation, the mistake is forgiveable! But getting caught lying to your lease members, probably will not be!
Anyway you lied, either out of embarassment, or to escape the fine!
You compounded one mistake, with a biggermistake! Learn from it and grow!

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

I've done it(knock on wood)once during doe season.Once during bow season I had the perfect shot,this"doe"was mine,just as I started to draw back the bow HE moved his ear and I saw two small points.Not spikes just points.Saved his life that day,but he still had bad luck,my cousin thought he was a she during anterless season.Poor guy could not win for loseing.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

GOOD REPLY , TIMBER

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Ourrules are much simpler.Legally we do not have buck or doe tags but instead we have antlered tags and antlerless tags.Any animal with an antler measuring 4" or more is consideredantlered and any animal that doesn't is consideredantlerless.As such nobody calls an antlerless deer a buck whether it is male or female.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Shooting a button buck is no big deal. He's going to disperse at least a mile if not 5 or 6 anyways, so making the mistake of bagging a nub every now and then doesn't bother me the least.

slayer

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Once I went to worrying about paying attention to whether or not a deer was a button, I have not made any mistakes. I shot a few buttons when I was young and not so picky. I really doubt I'll ever shoot one again.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Good post TIMBER.

I also agree and if I were your members I would kick you out.

I have first had exp. with this same thing. The last club I was in, we had the same problem. We were a dog club. A lot of people misjudge and shoot button bucks. The button buck count was getting ridclius. One year we even got a letter from the state DNR saying we were shooting way too many. So we voted on a rule that if you killed one it would be a $100 fine. This sure cut the number down.

After we done this we had trees shooting deer. No one wanted to claim a button buck once they shot it. If they were caught they were out of the club. To some, like myself, hunting is part of life. So I do not care to hunt with dishonest people.

I usually don't call people out at all, but this time I will say that I would not care to hunt with a person like yourself or even notice you as a hunter.[:o] Not only did you be dishonest, you bragged on it. [&o]

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Yep,Fine upstanding member any club would be proud to have...;)Yes,I have done it before,and it may happen again.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

I totally agree with Timber. That was a dirt bag thing to do and IF you were a member of my hunt club I would love to get rid of ya! Dishonest sportsman like this seem to cheat everyone whenever they can and I wouldn't take the chance of trusting you again. To ie and then to sneak the animal out is a shame and testifies to your character.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Timber, what is it in FL, 5"above the head? The club in Madison,Fl.I was in, would
not tolerate shooting a button buck.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

My first deer was a button buck. I didnt even feel bad it was my first deer i think anyone would of felt the same way.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Ok this is a mistake that I do not want to make my first year since I only have one tag for a buck and I have a check in station so I can not tag it a doe if I even wanted to. So what are some ways to tell a doe from a button buck? I first thought build would be it but after reading this it does not seem like that is fool proof.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Penis maybe?

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Well,really if you aren't sure don't shoot.I just use a pair of bino's or my scope,and check their head.If you see bumps,that's a nubby.If you look at a doe too much you will hallucinate,and may think you see nubs.So...If it doesn't stand out at first glance,then don't take a chance.(Had to rhyme!):D

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

I did once a couple years ago. He was about 25-30yds away and I knew for sure it was a doe. After I shot it took off so I thought I missed but decided to climb down to follow up just to make sure. I found TONS of blood/lung so I followed it about 60yds. and found him. I was all excited thinkin' I had shot a doe but when I got up to it I noticed the nubs. I was devastated...broke down cryin'. I had always said that I would NEVER shoot a button buck but because I misidentified it I broke my word to myself.Granted it was a nice sized one and the nubs were hardly noticable but I screwed up bigtime in my opinion. Now I'm beyond hesitant when I see a doe and if there's any doubt in my mind then I pass.

ps-he was tasty and very tender.:D

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

I hate to say, but I don't know. I hunt in the Troy, Al area and havn't bought a Fl license in years.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

StrutnBPS -Just wanted to let you know that what you said was the meanest thing any hunter has ever said to me and ever will-you should be ashamed of yourself!.I did not mean to shot the button buck-it was an acident andI was to embarrased to tell my fellow members.So plase dont ever go around bad talking other hunters when you dont evenknow the whole story or even know the person your trash talking!I am one of the most honest folks in this world(except for the buttom buck accident)! I think I deserve an apology!!Have a good day! AND HAPPY HUNTING.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Shoot a mature doe and you will eliminate this problem.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

i shot one my second year.....on the opener of buck season..youths could shot does on the first day and the saturdays of rifle season.....the second year of HR here in PA......terrrrrrible opener...me and dad jumped a nice 6 or 8pt from a blueberry/hedrow field......pulled up....i wasnt good enough to shoot it running.....but dad sure is........and had the shot at the back of the neck at 15yds.........but pulled up and saw YELLOW in the tree......some Ahole had on a yellow rain coat.......COLD wet and RAINY opener all day.....that buck ran between 2 guys and they never seen it.....so we went to check out another spot down the road.........walked up a THICK STEEP mountain side and waited till 3ish i think......getting dark......cold...wet.....decided it was time to go....walkin down the mountain we hear a car jam on its breaks at the road....i see something bolting our way up the steep mountain.......dad stood there shocked tryin to figure out what it was.......i said coyote...he said deer......then nah its a yote GET IT!..i dropped to my knee behind a BIG oak...dad was behind me......no idea i was there.......clicked the saftey off.....it stoped FEET away from the muzzle........KABOOM......the 06 barked......180gr round nose soft point through the boiler room at point blank range.........that deer went like 80 yds down the mountain falling the whole way..ran into a tree.....a boulder......and ran smack into a big boulder and dropped there.....dont know how it made it that far....the holes were HUGE......the heart and lungs blew out the exit...the size of a mans fist.....no idea how it ran.......but it was a button buck.......my second deer ever......i was happy......and hunted a long hard opener for it..........

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

My first deer with a bow was last year on New Year's Eve morning. My best friend's dad took me to their deer lease and said shoot the first doe to walk out. I was 30 yards away from the feeder (the lease is in west texas and if you don't use a feeder you might as well not even go) and i just got in my stand and got settled down when i heard something walking up behind me. Like most people this got my heart pumping. It was so dark i could only tell that is was there was when it moved. It walked with feet of my ladder. I waited for it to get light to make a shot. When it got light enough to see my pins more does came. I drew my bow and put my 20 yard pin right behind the shoulder of the smaller doe(really a nub buck and i thought the feeder was about 20 yards out but it was 30) and shot. My arrow went a hair low and bounced of a rock and into a cedar tree. The deer ran away and later came back. I got another arrow and already shackin up didnt knock it all the way. I began to draw back when the arrow fell off the string, hit the ladder and the big doe started stomping and looking at me. When she quit i got another arrow and put in on. The nubber came within 10 yards from the ladder of my stand and i put an arrow right threw the heart. He ran 15 yards and dropped.I was signing and dancing tell i saw the deer had balls when i went to gut it! I won't do that again. Thankfully the guy was very understanding about what i did.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

I don't have a problem with a hunter shooting a button buck by accident. Its not a big deal from a managment standpoint - if REALLY everyone is trying not to take one. I think its wrong for a club to FINE for shooting a buton. If the club is really adamant about not shooting buttons - then the RULE could be to forfeit your buck tag on the button (still seems too tough to me).

The fact that you felt like you had to HIDE the truth bothers me.

I've shot several - and a couple I was proud to take (nice shot - last hunt of the year, first buck, etc.) - a couple I was truly sick about. (passed MANY mature does to end up taking a button [:'(])

Experience and time has helped me tell the difference - even in a pinch. Apparently - $250 fines only teach people to lie!

FH

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

I did on accident last year as a matter of fact.And yes he was some good eatin too.Now I look with my binoc's to make sure it isnt if I decide to take a young one.

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

i agree..........so did that button buck lie out in the woods to rott? i hope not.......tell us the whole story behind it........

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Matthew C Mill,
I wil apologize for the person who offended you. I noticed you only have 30 post. There are all kinds of personalities represented on this forum. Be careful my friend what you post and how you post. You should see the mess we get ourselves in on the religious thread.;) I believe if we all seen each other face to face we would get along pretty good but when we only have written print to communicate by we have to think real hard. Most humans tend to think the worst in others instead of the best in others. None of us are perfect by a long shot. Keep on posting and make sure of your shot. I will try to do the same.
Chuck

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

Apparently, a lot of sates out there are much more strict on nubbing bucks!! Wi says that if a "buck" has antler growth of under 3", then is LEGALLY A DOE. Of couarse they stick to the 3" guideline very strictly..... Had a buddy last season shoot a 'doe' at 125 yards, open sights. that he never saw antlers on AT ALL(and he is a VERY ethical hunter!!), when he went to retrieve his harvest, he saw antler growth, measured, and they were 3 1/4" high, so he thought he did the right thing and called the DNR. DNR came to tag the deer for him, thanked him for reporting his error, said it could have happened to anyone shooting OPEN SIGHTS, with a shotgun, with no binocs, and because he was honest, he'd let him off easy. Well a $1200 ticket was DNR letting him off easy, game wardens comment was, well,I could have revoked your liscense for 2 years also!! Moral of the story.... SOMETIMES(not very often, but sometimes) the truth will just get you in trouble more than it should. My opinion was that he, in this situation should have just kept his mouth shut. HONEST MISTAKE!!!

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

I am going to assume that if these clubs have a rule that results in a fine that its for a good reason. As I posted about the club I was in. The State DNR even sent that club a letter telling themif they kept shooting that many BB'swe would lose our doe tags for a year or so. ( In SC a club can get doe tags that are issued for the club. These tags are only valid on land put into the state tag program and you can not use a personal doe tag on this land)

If you hunt an area with a good population orsee 10-15 deer every time you go hunting, I see nothing wrong with taking a few BB's. This may be a good management tatic.

Just as fines and laws on anything. They only keep a honest person honest. Every law and fine will also produce negative effects. You have to weigh the pros and cons to see which is the better way to go. This also caused a lot of deer not being shotthat were actually does. It is hard to judge a running deer. If you have doubts don't shoot. As with any other kind of hunting. I would rather pass up a chance ona doe than shoot a bb. Thats my opinion.[8D]

RE: Whoops! That was a button buck!
 

On numerous occasions. And, yes, I would agree. They are good eatin'. ;)