Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

I would like to let the bucks grow but how do I tell the difference? I've heard that a young deer walking around alone is most likely a button buck because he's been forced to go out on his own. Are there any other ways to tell the difference?

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Most buttons will have darker colored knobs on there heads, hence the name button buck. I have seen buttons bucks that werent turned out by there mothers that were the exact same size as there mother. The only way to tell is look at the knogin and if you dont see the buttons blast away. I have seen some that develop buttons right before they loose their spots and some that you have to look real close to even see, it all depends on the availabilty of nutrition. hope this helps.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

bert eveything is a "generalization" but in 20 years of seriously hunting whitetails with the last 12-15 of those being DEATHLY SERIOUS mgmt that has included shooting 50 does a year from one of our places in west TN. THE best thing I can tell you is to NEVER shoot small deer. lol now I'm not trying to be funny, I mean it literally. NEVER shoot a fawn or deer that appears smaller than the rest. As good as a doe fawn tastes the risks of it being a button are too large. ESPECIALLY when you realize that there is less than a 1 in 100 chance of survival for bucks past their 4th birthday. So the need to keep EVERYONE of them out there (unless they obviously become culls by 3yrs!) is important.

After the rut starts, yes most button heads will be solo. A good rule of thumb is NEVER shoot solo deer. But I have seen button heads traveling two and three together before so even then its tough. Also, by about the middle of December the button heads hit a growth spurt where they grow too about 3/4 the size of the average does, much faster than a doe fawn. So even then you cant strictly go by bodysize in comparisons to others. Look also for the "roundness" of young deer. Once a doe has fawns and gets older they lengthen in body features (most prominent is their longer noses and "lop ears"). Fawns are always quite "round" with their quarters, heads, noses and spinal columns being more rounded than older deer.

But NOTHING is a substitute for quality high powered optics and just taking the time to make ABSOLUTE sure there arent nubs. And I have seen buttonheads that didnt have nubs, just light "swirlpatches" of hair where their pedicles will grow. So you just gotta be sure visually. Just shooting a deer running through the woods isnt a good idea. You gotta be as sure on a doe as you do with a trophy buck.

But with patience comes wisdom,
RA

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

You got good advice. Me If I'm not sure I dont shoot.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

I agree with what was said but someone also told me that even a buck fawn will have a change during the rut, and will have a fuzzy back of the neck. I have never read anything on this but it seems to be true. I am on the skinning shed commitee and I check the weight, the hoofs, take the jaw bone out and on does if milk is present. I also for my own behalf look at the buck fawns, hopfully not too many, and check their neck and it does seem to be diferent from the smaller does. I for one use the bigger deer are usually not a buck fawn but if they are close and I can look I look for the neck.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Very good advice has been given here by all. Bottom line do not shoot yearlings, the chance is to great that you may kill a button. Any deer with a short or stubby looking face is a yearling. Some buttons don't even show signs of nubbings on their head. Good luck :)

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Testicles?





;););)

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

A button buck will usually lead the way. I have found this to be true. Let's say you have four deer come by and there are a couple of big does and 2 smaller deer. The first deer is the button and the last deer is usually the doe fawn following their mother. The button is also usually the first in the field to feed as well. Remember not always but a good starting point, for me anyway. Good luck!

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Let it also be known that if you are trying to increase the buck numbers on your land letting the buttons and yearling bucks walk doesn't gaurantee that they will be there next season, unless your property is high-fenced. It has been shown that males tend to leave the area they were born for their own area. I can't directly qoute or even name the researcher(s) or publication, but I have read this many times in the past few years. Besides, nothing beats venison veal!!

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Very sage advice. Good binocs saved two button buck's lives this year. Use binocs even at close distance.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Now that's the best approach !
The only advice that I could add to this is when in doubt just check for a "belly horn" , does don't have one ... ;)

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

One thing is for sure, if you shoot one, that one definately won't be back--you're tryin' to do the right thing if you want more bucks bertos750, good luck
hb

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Thanks to all you guys. You confirmed a few things for me and I learned a few things too. I guess due diligence and experience are my best options. We have an extra firearm season here in illinois this weekend for antlerless only and I want to do the right thing. Can't wait to get out there.

Thanks Again.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

The Departments of fish and game put "antlerless" seasons for a reason. If you have an antlerless tag, shoot an antlerless deer and get over it. There is no harm in killing a "button buck." If you are concerned about hitting one, don't shoot any that don't have antlers. Now, it is pretty easy to tell the difference, though it is not guarenteed. If a larger antlerless deer has one or two smaller ones with it, don't shoot any of those guys. I would rather tag a fawn, than shoot the mama and leave the fawns to fend for themselves for the rest of winter. Find a deer that seems to be more by itself, shoot it, and move on.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Bert, besides being 100% sure of your target, there is one other way to avoid killing button bucks. Never feel pressured to kill a deer even if it is the last five minutes of the last day of the season. I've seen many people (including myself as a youngster) kill button bucks when they were trying to fill their tag during "crunch time".
When hunters take their time, get a good look at the deer they're shooting at, and are selective, the end result is almost always a good one.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Sometimes it's kinda hard on the real young ones. But after a good look through some glass you should be able to see some little fuzzy bumps on his head. I also look at the glands on the back legs, not always, but the males seem to be darker. Lastly might be nice to let the youngest ones grow until you can tell, but if you can't be sure, don't shoot unless you have tags for both sexes. I shot a button this year too thinking it was a Doe, my bad, but I had a tag and the freezer was in need of meat. The season has since gotten better.

Also I must agree with, BowHuntingFool, the youngest bucks are pretty doppy and the older smarter ones let them walk first. I usually don't shoot the first one I see but wait for his buddies. At least that's how I would like to do things.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

how about the old flat vs. round head for telling the differences between the sexes? i haven't ever tried it myself, maybe someone else has. and i know that around here, even during the rut, the little skippers still hag with mom, so i wouldn't use that as a good indicator myself.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

All these probably been mentioned in prior posts but #3,4,5, are probably the most sure fire way to tell the differance.

1) A lone deer is often a displaced BB.

2) If 3-4-5 deer walk out to feeding area,many times 1st one out will be the BB(their cocky and stupid).

3) The BB head will always be flatter than Doe. A biggy

4) Doe will have a dome shape noggin. A Biggy

5) Doe head is long and slender compared to short stubby lookin BB head. Another Biggy

Having said all that,everybody is gonna make a mistake once in a great while. I have thru the years.

I hunt a lease farm. We have all finally agreed we are going to make serious attempts at not shooting any BB's or spikes. We have couple guys that shoot 1st and ck head gear later. I keep tellin these clowns that a BB(or spike) is next yrs 6-8 point and the following yr 10-12. I think its finally sunk in.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Another way to avoid killing a small/young deer is to avoid shooting the ones that have a "box-like" body shape. An older deer will have more of a "rectangular" shape to its body.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

If the head is flat, its a buck. If its round ,a doe. I shot two lone does this year and both were yearling. However, i've shot one nub that was alone. Actually, one of the does i got last year was alone too, and she was a yearling. yearling bucks disperse on average 3-5 miles so it doesnt bother me shooting a button buck by mistake.

slayer

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

I look for the "puppy head"

If its alone and running - I don't shoot - period.

Once you get used to looking for the "Fawn Puppy head" - its not too hard - really its not.

DOE

Fawn

If - I'm not sure - I pass.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

Dont get me wrong, I am not saying you should shoot first check later, I am saying that if you do kill a button, don't beat yourself up over it. Enjoy the tender, tasty protien and be more careful next time. I also stick by my point about buck dispertion, so if my freezer is low and the season end is near...that spike/fork horn going with me. Because he probably wont be back as a 6 point or 8 point next year, but someone elses may be...Hmmm...maybe I dont want anyone else killing young uns. ;)

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

farm hunter

Great pics showing variations.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

A buck fawn will most likely not get dispersed if it's mom is taken out. He will most likely stick around the area.

RE: Differences between a button buck and a doe?
 

I have to agree with what others have said. Shape of the head (and body), if it is alone, or if it is the first one out of the woods the chances are pretty good that it is a button. I have shot two buttons since I started hunting and both of them were the first ones out of the woods. I now am very careful about looking at the deer before I pull up my gun. It takes some practice looking at them and I still have some deer that I let walk becuase I am not sure. The hardest part for me was learning to just watch the deer and not shoot the first thing I see. The excitement and adrenaline gets going and everything inside of me would say "there is a deer, shoot it!" I now find that a hunt is just as successful for me when I see deer that I could have shot, and let them walk. Especially when it is a nice buck that is just a point short of what my and my hunting buddies guidelines are. I had a nice 6 point buck with a very big body come out with three fawns this season. I watched them for about 15 minutes with everything in my body telling me "shoot the buck! shoot the buck!". Because I don't shoot under 8 points I just watched. Sure enough about 15 minutes later a nice doe came out. I waited until the doe was next to the buck before I took her. I figured if I wasn't going to shoot the buck, at least it would feel like I shot him if I took the doe when she was standing next to him! This was probably one of my most fun hunts ever. It was great to take the doe, but it was much more fun watching the buck and knowing that with the pull of the trigger he would have been in my truck. That is a successful hunt to me.