Button Bucks

[Richie Nell]

If it was possible to make significant strides while genetically managing for a particular antler size and shape....
Why in the world would a sane human being do that?
Why would you destroy the genetic diversity and try and make every buck look alike?

That sounds like another socialistic Obama ploy to me.  

[KentuckyTJ]

Originally posted by Don Stokes:
KY TJ, of course half of the genes come from the doe, but how can it be around 60%? Why not 50%? Just curious about where the number came from. It's been over 40 years since I took a genetics course, so my memory could be flawed, I guess. It certainly is about some other things... can't remember just what at the moment...

Don - the article I read years ago stated on average of 60% in their study.

I think maybe there should be a little give for those who don't get to shoot deer all that often or young folks on this killing button bucks debate.  A stigma placed on that could put a negative feeling in a youngster, when that first chance comes along.  When ever someone shoots a fawn or a button buck, I tell them "You can't eat the antlers, but, remember that every mouthful of this deer will be your trophy." The worship of huge racks is tribal and easily understood, but the Good Lord gave us these creatures as sustenance.  I know that is correct, why else should they taste so good.

[rascal]

Late born fawns, nothing genetically deficient about them.  I let em walk every time unless I see one injured and that goes for all deer, if its injured I put them down.  Ive been letting everything less than a really mature 8 walk now for quite some time so its a no brainer to let the buttons walk.

[Richie Nell]

Pavan,
I personally would rather teach my kids that it is better to harvest the older bucks and leave the younger ones to get old, even if it is their first buck.

Rather than let them shoot, IMO the baby buck then tell them why it is not good to kill the young bucks.

Why not teach the younguns the first time.

Kill does for meat.  

If the doe population is too low to feel good about taking some for "meat" then the buck population is definitely too low to hunt.

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

I think some of us need to try to be a little more polite or I will ask the mods to remove this.  I never thought I would be degraded for asking a question here of all places.  If you don't like the post or the question then please just don't reply.  However, if we can post a polite response, even if we don't agree, all oppinions are welcome.

[Stinger]

I have shot two in my time with a bow and both times thought they were small does when I took the shot.  I couldn't see the buttons until I was on the ground.  Didn't bother me one bit.  They taste great!  The first one was the first deer I ever shot.  It was the late '60's and I was 15 years old and there weren't a lot of deer around of any sort.  When I went to check it in at the game check station I was getting a few wise cracks from some of the old timers.  The game warden looked at them and said, "Where's your deer?"  That shut them up.  Then he said, "hey when they are that small they are harder to hit;  this kid's a great shot."  That made me feel better.

[Terry Green]

Buckeye....I have not read this thread yet...and apologize for anyone derailing your question.

I will lock it for you now.

My oldest girl has a band concert in a few, so I'll try and read this later.