With all this talk about shooting does and fawns, it bring to memory an article I read earlier this spring, I believe from Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine. They talked about what doe is the right doe to shoot and has some interesting thought provoking information to think about. The article looked into does relocating or shifting their core area, just like young bucks, does sometime will change core areas from where they were born at 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 year of age. Does can become very territorial when birthing, pushing deer into other areas, often the oldest "dominant" does seek the best birthing areas. As hunters, the article suggested shooting young, 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 year old does, leaving the older does that have already established core areas in your hunting area. These older does are the best mothers when needed, in the spring and early summer, also having older does in your hunting area promotes a more intense & earlier rut because they tend to come into estrus earlier and at a more uniform time. An interesting article, anyone else read it, any thoughts? I know that most when looking for does are just trying to fill the freezer with the first good shot that presents itself, but it's something that does make some sense.
x2! Unless she is a nasty old hag 2 1/2-5 1/2 is tough. I'm all for shooting yearlings, also usually takes the doe with fawns issue out of the equation.
I agree with the above comment that its hard to field judge the age of a doe. Thats why I wack them all. No prejudice here. Helping the deer ratio out and grilled backstraps. Its a win win.
Ive had many occasions to pick between shooting a mature doe or one of her two yearlings and i have almost always shot the yearlings. I know there a lot of people out there against it but i cant think of a single thing that can beat those tenderloins with a side of corn and mashed potatoes with gravy!! Dang, made myself hungry. To the freezer i go!
By the time October rolls around, most fawns are more than able to fend for themselves. I would shoot a doe with fawns as long as the fawn were not extremely small. I also like to target older does. I look for does with "horse heads" and that don't appear to be drawn down from nursing fawns.
I'd agree that does are hard to field judge after 2-1/2, but mature vs young I dont think is that difficult and thats the point. There is reason not to shoot that old doe and take the yearling. I wish I had a link to the article because I don't think I explained it very well. I'm also all for shooting does with buck fawns to up the odd of them not relocating when kicked out by there mother. Just an idea that there can be more things to think about when killing a doe than just your freezer, like the prospects of your future hunts in the area. Just something to thing about when pulling the trigger besides just your freezer. Take it for what its worth.
The thing is, we all kill does, yearlings or adult deer and it doesn't seem to have a significant impact on populations. I think it simply comes down to what you are comfortable doing. Myself, I won't shoot a yearling. I just don't feel right doing so. I'm not hunting to "grocery shop". Early in my hunting career, I have shot several yearlings and didn't think twice. Old age and a soft spot for these animals has changed that over the years. It does not make me any better of a hunter than anyone else. It's simply a personal thing.
