antlerless deer

[muzzyswuirrel@gmail.]

ok i know this sounds stupid but i need to make sure- do does count as antlerless deer or do you need to go to a different state with different regulations to hunt does? if they dont count then how can you tell the difference between an antlered buck and an antlerless buck? when do they shed their antlers?

[MSHunter]

ORIGINAL: muzzyswuirrel@gmail.

ok i know this sounds stupid but i need to make sure- do does count as antlerless deer or do you need to go to a different state with different regulations to hunt does? if they dont count then how can you tell the difference between an antlered buck and an antlerless buck? when do they shed their antlers?

A doe is indeed an antlerless deer. As far as hunting them, it depends upon how your state regulations are setup. For instance, here in Mississippi, bucks and does are legal during archery and muzzle loading seasons. Bucks are legal during gun season, unless your hunting on private property, then does are also legal. Your state's department of natural resources website will have all the info you need. If you don't know the URL, Google it. As far as button bucks (no visible antlers), you won't know until after you shoot them and begin the field dressing process. Antler sheding takes place before spring.

[SwampLife]

Read your regs, usually an antlerless deer includes does and bucks with less then 'x' amount of antler visible above the hairline.

Any deer that does not have antlers is an antlerless deer.

It does sound a bit confusing now that I am trying to explain it.

[muzzyswuirrel@gmail.]

alright thanks for the help!

[Woods Walker]

Bucks will shed their antlers when their testosterone level drops. This is triggered by levels of daylight, and IMO the amount of estrous does that are still in the area. I say this because years ago I used to see bucks dropping antlers as early as the first week or so of December, and now here in northern Illinois I see them carrying racks well into March. I even saw a young buck trying to breed a "hot" doe in February one time.

[muzzyswuirrel@gmail.]

alright thanks for the clarification!

[charlie 01]

Whatever state you are in, antlerless, is a doe or buck with less than 3" of antler length. The diff. between an antlered buck and an antlerless one is, an antlered buck has more than 3" of antler length, and an antlerless one has less than 3" of antler length. Has nothing to do with shed antlered deer, they would fall under antlerless deer(less than 3" of antler length. Got it!