What qualifies as an antlerless deer?

It’s not just does

South Carolina’s new deer hunting laws require the tagging of every deer, including antlerless deer. But what qualifies as antlerless? Isn’t an antlerless deer just a doe? No.

The SCDNR considers some bucks to legally be antlerless deer. Antlerless deer are defined as any deer with no antlers or with less than 2 inches of visible antler above the hairline. Does, button bucks, and small (less than 2 inches) spike antlered deer all qualify as antlerless deer.

Each resident South Carolina hunter will receive 8 antlerless deer tags (and 3 antlered deer tags) when they purchase their hunting license. These antlerless tags will be good for specific dates only. Up to four optional non-specific date antlerless tags may also be purchased for $5 apiece.

Non-resident hunters will not receive any free antlerless deer tags, but have the option of purchasing up to four for $10 each. These can be used on any date.