How is an antlered doe classified in Texas? What tag do you put on it if it only has hardened pedicles less than an inch in height (no real antlers), and no buck genitalia? What if it has true antlers? Just curious and want to know more about what to do if a deer like this is harvested (even though I know it’s pretty rare).

An antlered deer tag for one with antlers. Antlerless for one with no antlers. Less than an inch I believe classifies as antlerless.

If there is hardened bone protruding through the scalp, you must use a buck tag. Doesn't matter how long. Hard bone = buck tag. In this case, I would use a Buck or Antlerless tag. You have two antlerless only tags and three for buck or antlerless. But I'd call the GW to be sure.

Sew some balls on it

Thanks. I was reading the regulations and was getting a bit confused, because some wording in the definitions that specifically state “buck deer”, whereas in other parts it states “antlered deer”, without reference to the gender of the deer. I live in an AR county, and can only take Antlerless deer during Archery season, so I want to make sure I would be putting the correct tag on it if it ever happened, especially if it only had hardened pedicles with no antlers. If I saw a deer like this while out hunting, I think I would call the GW first to get a ruling before I decided to harvest it anyway.

Buck tag if ANY antler is protruding through the skin. Genitals make no difference

Use your gender neutral tag so as not to offend. That’s the real travesty here.

Since the regs say proof of sex can be a skinned head, how would you prove if a nubbin buck wasn't protruding through the skin when it was shot? Seems to me that is why the 1 inch rule is in place.

The one inch rule is to differentiate between a spike and a branch-antlered deer. It has nothing to do with the definition of a buck or antlerless. A buck is defined as having any hard protrusion of antler.

No way to tell if the antler protruded through the skin or not with the skin removed which is legal under the regs though. So if you shot a nubbing buck that didn't break the skin and for some reason skinned he head, how will you prove the differentiation? This is a real question, not trying to argue. Guessing the safe route there is to not skin the head but this seems like a grey area.

Yes, I suppose that would be a gray area.

It’s been my limited experience that nubbin bucks that haven’t produced a hard protrusion have their nubs covered with hair, which is not easily rubbed off. If it were velvet only, I guess you’d just have to take care not to rub it off.

I emailed TPWD last night to clarify this.

Q: Hi, I have a question regarding tagging a buck deer whose antlers are less than 1 inch but both exposed through the skin (i.e. A nubbing buck). Would this be considered antlered or antlerless since the antlers are less than 1 inch and therefore don't count as a point? Thanks, Rex

A:Good morning,

Thank you for your email.

If they are less than 1 inch it would be considered an antlerless deer.

Thank you,
Wildlife Information


Still seems to contradict the definition of a buck deer listed on the TPWD website.

In that case would be best to contact local warden as that’s who would be writing the ticket

Good idea, I bet a handful of wardens will give you a handful of different answers.

That doesn’t surprise me at all, unfortunately.

Maybe the Austin TX city council can issue you a neutral gender tag for your kill! seems all thats there now!....

Flakes every where today!

This would be buck tag,

if You’re ticketed, just take the email fromTPWD to the judge.

When I worked in Wisconsin, a outdoor company hosted a big buck contest. One of the categories was antlered does. I was impressed with the winner every year.

When you asked that question did you direct it to "Game Warden (law enforcement)? I ask because every time I have sent an email directed to them, the reply always comes from someone with law enforcement at TPWD, not "wildlife information" and they usually reference the actual regulation in the reply. They should have included their title and name. The person who answered that I doubt is with law enforcement. An email from "wildlife information" is not going to fly with the judge.