Passing along a note from a TPWD biologist...

"Hey guys,

I know for some the hunting season is over but others are still plugging along. Just wanted to pass this note along for those of you still trying to harvest doe.

On a youth hunt this past weekend I noticed a buck very close to shedding his antlers. Pay close attention when harvesting doe to not harvest a shed antlered buck. I think there will be bucks dropping their antlers very quickly."

Definitely want to keep a heads up for this. On the subject, I've noticed the more dominant bucks tend to lose antlers before the others. Anybody else see this?

Got the same email from ours, good advice. But, how do you notice a buck "close" to shedding? Seems pretty early to me.

It happens:



This was the last day of our archery season (New Year's Eve). In our area it is legal as long as your tag is valid for both buck or doe. Tag in his ear is my game tag which we must apply to the ear if no antlers are available (if antlered you put your tag on either main beam like my avatar) .

This was after 3 hours of sitting on the ground on the side of a ravine in -15 temps. I think the cold was playing tricks on my mind as I actually thought it was a small doe. As I walked up to him he kept getting bigger and I thought that is the biggest doe I have ever seen. When I got to him I thought that can't be right and checked his genitals and sure enough it was a buck that had already shed. Lucky for me my tag was valid for either.

Turned out he was 198lbs dressed. Went back to look for the sheds but no luck.

So, did you put a buck tag on it?

Yes I have see n 2 bucks that have already dropped their horns.

The tags say Antlerless, not Doe

We have 3 different types of WT game tag:

Valid for Buck (Antlered) Only
Valid for Doe (Antlerless) Only
Valid for either Buck or Doe.

The tag I had for that zone was valid for either so it went on. Game warden can interpret it however he/she likes as the tag I put on the deer was valid for anything. Not sure what I would of used if I had to choose.

For my end of season questionnaire he was reported as a buck.

Another good reason to get your doe taken as quick as possible

Without horns it should have been tagged as a doe.

It was tagged for both. The tag applied stated "valid for either Buck or Doe."

The questionnaire we complete at the end of the season is data collection and only asks about sex of deer taken and does not reference antlers.

If you see a HUGE doe take a hard look at the tarsal glands on the hind legs. If you see a LARGE dark spot....PASS (it is probably a buck)

dont shot square headed does. they either buck fawns or bucks that have dropped their antlers. does have a round dome shaped head.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/h...2312f6f47c00249

Binos and using them are lossed art it appears when shooting does.

Sound like what I tell the lease guys when they bring in a nubbing buck, when they thought they were shooting at a doe.

^^^ No Joke STX, never skimp on good glass and use it often.. I know lots of people that use bad glass and hardly ever pick their binos up because they get a headache.. Good glass lets you have your binos glued to your face and your eyes wont get tired.