Finally got my first deer.... Mixed emotion
 

4th year of hunting I finally shoot a deer and I realize I need more time in the stand observing so I can judge size. While I got my first it's not very big and I thought at first it was a doe. Ended up being a button buck I shot from my ladder stand at about40-45 yards with my 12 gauge.

Awesome u got a clean 1st kill, 1st deer is magical. You have to start somewhere u did good and put some meat in the freezer.

My first deer was a button buck and my son's first deer a couple years ago was a button head. Nothing wrong with that so don't be too hard on yourself. Now you can concentrate on getting a larger buck or mature doe.

Here is what I do to keep from shooting button heads. I don't shoot small deer that are by themselves, unless I can get a good look at the top of it's head. I have found many times these are button heads and it can be hard to tell during low light, even with a scoped rifle.

Congrats on your first deer! You'll never forget that day. :happy0001:

When you're sitting 20-30 feet up in your stand, sometimes it hard to judge a button buck from a doe. I've done it myself. But, it's deer meat for the freezer.

Congrats, man!

That's how a lot of us started out.

My niece got her first this year and it was a nubbin.

Good for you!

Congrats on your first deer! Size or age is perfect for meat; consider that most of the livestock we purpose raise for food are killed at well under a year of age because they provide better quality meat.

Thanks guys it's nice to have gotten that first one. It sure was a rush and great feeling to see that deer go down. Im not so mad it being a button buck as much as its a lot smaller than I thought it was. I was going to post a picture but I don't want to get flamed

Congrats on the buck!any first deer is a trophy the rest comes in time.

congrats on your first deer and you should be proud and post the pics screw the people who get pissed

You should be proud of taking that deer no matter the size! I took my fiancé hunting Saturday and she got her first deer which was a very small doe. Everyone at camp congratulated her as if she killed the biggest buck of the year. just think about all the time and hard work you put into getting that deer and be proud you accomplished what you set out to do because some people never get a chance at one!

Nothing to be ashamed of with your 1st deer. It's meat in the freezer and very good meat at that. My brother shot a button buck last weekend that he thought was a doe and he's been hunting for ten years now. It is hard to tell sometimes. Post a pic. You deserve it. You've work hard the last 4 years and you got ur 1st. Congrats!!:party0005:

I was happy I think I just let my "friends" get to me. You know they had to poke fun. I put a lot more time and effort in this year compare to other years I actually saw a lot of bucks too. Never had a good shot at the others. This one gave me a comfortable shot I couldn't have asked for any more.

My first deer was a 3x0, but I still remember it better than any other.

Congrats on your first.

Congrats on your first! My first was fawn as well. Post up them pics and be proud of them!

congrats on your first deer, its still something to be proud of because you made a clean kill and nobody can ask for much more than that. Besides, now you can be better prepared to hunt bucks because you know what the rush feels like and might have a better idea of how to control it. I am a firm believer in letting first timers shoot a doe as their first deer because they are a great confidence builder (and they taste amazing), and you need as much confidence as you can get when it comes to hunting big whitetails.

Congrrats on your first deer. I'm sure it will be deliciousl

Congrats, the first one will always be remembered for sure. I shot a few I thought were does and found out they were button bucks. Enjoy the meat.

My first deer was a button buck and to be honest its the one deer I am most proud of. Shot him when I was 10 years old with a bow. Deer still had milk dripping off its nose ;) but I couldn't care less. One of the greatest memories ever and I will remember it for a loooong time.

Dont be ashame of shooting a button buck. Especially for your first deer.

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Congrats! Very cool!

I say you did great. Be proud as a peacock!

Don't worry about it. It's your first deer. Congrats! Time and experience will make you a better judge.

Nothing at all wrong with ur first deer. Looks like he'll be very tastety. Yeah your friends are going to rag you a little. I ragged my brother last weekend but that's what friends and family do lol. Still got him hanging in my fridge and can't wait till it's time to butcher. I did'nt rag him so much that he would'nt share the meat lol. Hey you can now say that your 1st deer was a buck! You'll never forget it. Congrats again and I hope that you have a great rest of the season. God bless.

Congrats, I'd feel the same way but it was a clean kill and legal so don't sweat it too bad.

If your buddies rag you too much tell them they'll be eating meat from the McDonalds drive thru

Don't sweat it. Nothing to get flamed over. Yes, you thought it was a young doe and not a young buck, but does that make your hunt any less of a challenge or any less successful or any less fun ? Not in my book. And for sure you just put some of the best meat that the forest has to offer in your freezer! Maybe the "big one" will ease by next time.

Congradulations.

Nice shot by the way! yes my first deer was a forked spike with a smooth barrel 12 guage and I was PUMPED! Its always excited to get your first deer enjoy it! Now your hooked and there is no turning back... just wait till you get your first deer with a bow.... its a sickness really.

Thanks honestly I was a little afraid to use the shotgun. First I've never shot a gun from a tree stand and I was using it for bow its just a platform and seat no rail. The shotgun has no rifle sights just a front bead I didn't plan on using it but the deer I see are just out of now range. Everything worked well though. I was actually able to put one leg up near the seat to use as a rest. I sighted right down the rail put the bead on the shoulder and squeezed the trigger and froze. I watched him drop. After the shock of getting my first deer settled I ejected the case and put it in my pocket. I think I'm going to clean the skull and put the shell with it in a shadow box. A memory to be saved

That would be a neat thing to do with it. When your target shooting you notice the recoil because your thinking about it, however when in stand and staring at that deer the thought of the recoil goes away and you dont feel it.

Congrats.... it is hard to tell at times. I shot a button with my bow this season, not being able tell it was a button buck in the low light. It was with 2 other what also appeared to be does. The other 2 made it into some thick brush... the button didn't. It was your first deer, I would have taken it also. You put a lot of time in for it. It will be great eating!

Great shot placement, clean kill. You should be very proud. Congrats!

Same here first deer was a button thought it was a big doe with a older fawn ended up being a button with a small doe. Felt bad at first but a deer burger later changed my thoughts.

Where in NY? what zone?

I'm in dutchess county region 3

Great job man! Nothing like the first, congrats! Be proud of every animal you kill, and don't ever worry about what someone else thinks. :D

My first deer was a little 7 pointer, i spine shot him and i was shaking real bad went to put another shot on him and shot his antler off. I think i was probaly 8 or 9, how i managed that i have no idea lol.


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CGTS on your first.

Can't eat the antlers! Meat-in-the-pot for you.

Now you can focus on something larger.

I hunt zone 3 as well. Hasn't been good this year. saw a few on opening day, and none since.

Like fishing. The sure fire way to fill the cooler is to get that first one on ice.

There will be more deer to come for you, don't worry.