Last Updated on April 28, 2023 by Robinellis
In North America, the average lifespan of a white-tailed deer is around 15 years. However, this can vary depending on the subspecies and the environment they live in. For example, those living in more southern regions tend to have shorter lifespans than those in northern regions.
Additionally, males generally have shorter lifespans than females. Button bucks are young male white-tailed deer that are between 6 and 8 months old. At this age, they are still considered fawns but are starting to grow their first set of antlers.
When it comes to deer, there are many different types that people can see. This includes the likes of a doe, which is a female deer, and a buck, which is a male deer. There are also others like the fawn, which is a baby deer of either gender.
One type of deer that people might not be as familiar with though is the button buck. So, how old is a button buck?
A button buck is actually just a young male deer that still has its antlers in velvet.
Once the antlers harden and the velvet falls off, the deer is then considered to be a regular buck. The age at which this happens can vary somewhat from one individual to another, but it typically occurs when they are around six months old or so.
Can You Shoot a Button Buck
In most states, it is legal to shoot a button buck. A button buck is a young male deer that has not yet grown antlers. The term “button” refers to the small bumps on a deer’s head that will eventually grow into antlers.
Button bucks are often killed by hunters because they can be difficult to tell apart from does (female deer) when they are seen in the wild. In some states, there are specific regulations regarding the hunting of button bucks. For example, in Wisconsin, hunters cannot shoot a button buck unless it is during the gun deer season and the hunter has a valid deer license.
If you are unsure about the laws in your state, it is always best to check with your local wildlife agency before heading out on a hunt.
Button Buck Vs Spike
If you’re a deer hunter, you know that there are two main types of bucks – button bucks and spikes. But what’s the difference between the two? Let’s take a closer look.
Button bucks are young bucks that have not yet reached their full antler potential. Their antlers are small and still in the “button” stage, which is why they’re called button bucks. Spike bucks are also young deer, but their antlers have already begun to grow out into spikes.
Neither type of buck is fully grown, but button bucks have smaller antlers than spike bucks.
So, which type of buck is more desirable? That depends on your personal preferences as a hunter.
Some hunters prefer to hunt button bucks because they’re easier to track and take down. Others prefer spike bucks because they offer more of a challenge. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of buck you want to hunt!
What is a Button Buck
A button buck is a young deer, usually less than one year old. The name comes from the fact that their antlers are not fully grown in yet and they look like buttons. Button bucks are very cute and popular with hunters, as they provide good eating and are relatively easy to track down and kill.
Is a Button Buck Considered Antlerless
In most states, a button buck is considered antlerless. The definition of an antlerless deer varies from state to state, but generally, it is a deer without visible antlers. In some states, a buck must be at least one year old before it is considered antlerless.
In other states, any male deer without visible antlers is considered antlerless. If you are not sure whether or not a button buck is considered antlerless in your state, you should check with your local wildlife agency.
Button Buck Weight
Button bucks are the smallest members of the deer family. A button buck is a male fawn that has not yet reached its first birthday. The name “button” comes from the fact that these young bucks still have their “buttons” or baby teeth.
While most button bucks weigh between 20 and 30 pounds, some can weigh as much as 50 pounds.
While adult bucks can weigh up to 300 pounds, button bucks are much smaller in comparison. Most button bucks will only grow to be about half the size of an adult buck.
This is because they are still growing and have not reached their full potential yet. Even though they are small, button bucks can still do a lot of damage with their antlers so it is important to be careful around them!
Credit: www.mossyoak.com
How Old is a Typical Button Buck?
A typical button buck is around six months old. At this age, their antlers are just beginning to grow in, and they usually have two or three points on each antler. Bucks of this age are still fairly small, weighing in at around 30 pounds.
They are very active and playful, often chasing each other around and engaging in mock battles.
Should You Shoot a Button Buck?
If you’re a deer hunter, you’ve probably asked yourself this question at some point – should you shoot a button buck? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t black and white. It really depends on a number of factors, including your state’s regulations, your personal preferences, and the size of the buck.
In general, most states allow hunters to harvest either sex of deer during the regular season. However, there may be restrictions in place for antlered bucks (i.e. bucks with antlers that have visible beams and tines). Check your state’s regulations before heading out into the field.
As for personal preferences, it ultimately comes down to what you want to do with the meat. If you’re simply looking for venison to fill your freezer, then shooting a button buck is perfectly fine. However, if you’re hoping to mount a trophy buck on your wall, then it might be best to wait until the buck has grown bigger and his antlers have become more impressive.
Finally, consider the size of the buck when making your decision. A young button buck is going to yield less meat than an adult doe or even a yearling buck. So if you’re hungry and looking for something to eat, shooting a big doe might make more sense than taking down a tiny button buck.
At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not you should shoot a button buck – it all depends on your individual circumstances. Just be sure to check your state regulations before pulling the trigger!
What is Considered a Button Buck?
A button buck is a young deer, usually less than one year old, that has not yet grown its first set of antlers. The term is most often used in the southeastern United States, where whitetail deer are prevalent.
Button bucks can be distinguished from does and other adult deer by their small size and lack of antlers.
Their coat is also typically much lighter in color than that of an adult deer.
While they are not as sought after by hunters as adults, button bucks can still provide plenty of fun for those who enjoy spending time outdoors observing wildlife. Seeing a young deer take its first steps and grow into adulthood is truly a special experience.
How Old is a Spike Buck?
Most bucks reach physical maturity at 2-1/2 years old. At this age, they will have developed their full antler potential and body size. However, some bucks may continue to grow and improve in antler size and body condition until they are 4-1/2 years old or even older.
So, a “spike” buck could be anywhere from 2-1/2 to 4-1/2 years old, with the average being 3-1/2 years old.
BUTTON BUCK Biology || Murphy's Law On Whitetails
Conclusion
In conclusion, the author argues that a button buck is old enough to be weaned when it is around six weeks old. The author provides evidence to support this claim by recounting their personal experience with raising a button buck. Ultimately, the decision of when to wean a button buck is up to the individual owner, but the author suggests that six weeks is generally a good age to start.
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