paulcarol+FollowHow I tell bucks from does in the field?Two weeks ago I'm glassing a lone deer feeding in my food plot at last light. No antlers visible, slender build - had to be a doe, right? Wrong! Almost made a costly mistake until I noticed that thick neck and blocky head shape. After 20+ years hunting, I've learned you can't just rely on antlers. Here's how I now identify bucks vs does in the field: Key identifiers that never lie: 1️⃣ Head shape - Bucks have flattened, blocky foreheads. Does have rounded heads like a Coke bottle with floppy ears. 2️⃣ Neck and chest - Even shed bucks keep that thick, muscular neck. Does are more graceful and elongated. 3️⃣ Body build - Bucks are squarer and more muscular. Does have that rectangular, streamlined look. 4️⃣ Tarsal glands - Look for dark brown staining on mature bucks' hind legs from rub-urinating during rut. 5️⃣ Behavior - Late season bucks often feed alone, packing on calories after rut. Does travel in family groups. Post-rut bucks feeding solo are often mistaken for does. Don't let a shed buck fool you! What's your go-to method for buck vs doe identification? #hunting #DeerHunting #buckordoe12935Share
Eric Ford+FollowI almost shot a doe thinking it was a buckLast week I had my crosshairs on what I thought was a young buck until it turned its head - no antlers! Close call. What's your foolproof method for identifying bucks vs does? #hunting #DeerHunting #buckordoe #huntingtips4426Share
