I'm on the fence. Down here we get a lot of "tags", as in we just fill the date in on our card, no physical "tag" on the animal. With 10 antler-less and 2 antlered deer, I would fill it in regardless. But growing up in NY you got one buck and a lottery for doe, sometimes 1,sometimes 2. Thats a bit trickier. Growing up we also counted on the meat for the year, these days I do not. So the circumstances are a little different. Now if you shot a doe, and then found it eaten by coyotes and you did not salvage it I can see not tagging it. Though if it was a buck and you even just wanted the antlers I would say you tag it. Like said above, once to claim and remove any portion of the animal, tag it. If its a good buck and you just want the antlers I would call DNR and ask if its ok to not tag it. Worst case is they say no and that you have to tag it. To me the risk isnt worth it, the only thing worse than blowing a tag is getting your hunting license revoked.