Doe tags and buck tags confused me

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Shane

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Joined
Sep 24, 2025
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In my first year hunting, I didn't understand the difference. I used my tag wrong and got in trouble and fortunately just a warning. Regulations are complicated for new hunters
 
What was confusing ? Not judging, just trying to understand what confused you.

FYI, since you’re new to hunting, a buck fawn with no hard antler protruding through the skin is considered antlerless, the same age buck with hard antlers protruding through the skin, even if only a fraction of an inch, is a spike buck. Does are female deer, fully grown or not, and should be tagged antlerless. All the rest are antlered bucks and the definition of a legal buck varies by county. Here in East Texas a legal buck must be 13” at the widest measurement between his left and right main beams or have only a main beam on one side. Spikes are also legal, (unfortunately), but that’s another story. I hope this helps !
 
In my first year hunting, I didn't understand the difference. I used my tag wrong and got in trouble and fortunately just a warning. Regulations are complicated for new hunters
What state are you hunting in? In Texas do you have the Texas “Outdoor Annual “ app on your phone? Do you have an Electronic License or do you have the Paper license?
Also the Texas Hunt & Fish app for reporting will explain…Last but not least you can always call a game warden and they can walk you through the process…. I do understand it is a learning curve on the apps…at 70 it took me a little time to get through the process first time around.
 
What was confusing ? Not judging, just trying to understand what confused you.

FYI, since you’re new to hunting, a buck fawn with no hard antler protruding through the skin is considered antlerless, the same age buck with hard antlers protruding through the skin, even if only a fraction of an inch, is a spike buck. Does are female deer, fully grown or not, and should be tagged antlerless. All the rest are antlered bucks and the definition of a legal buck varies by county. Here in East Texas a legal buck must be 13” at the widest measurement between his left and right main beams or have only a main beam on one side. Spikes are also legal, (unfortunately), but that’s another story. I hope this helps !
Thanks! The antler/age definitions and county-specific rules were what tripped me up
 
What state are you hunting in? In Texas do you have the Texas “Outdoor Annual “ app on your phone? Do you have an Electronic License or do you have the Paper license?
Also the Texas Hunt & Fish app for reporting will explain…Last but not least you can always call a game warden and they can walk you through the process…. I do understand it is a learning curve on the apps…at 70 it took me a little time to get through the process first time around.
I’m in Texas. I’ve started using the apps
 
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When I mentor new hunters, I always go over the tag rules step by step. The rule book can be confusing, but it makes sense after someone explains it
 
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