I've wacked a few, took one last year as a matter of fact. Before that it was 5 years ago. Usually I let them walk, but if a doe fawn happens to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time, she's dinner!
I have done so, and probably will again. I get lots of tags, I like the tenderness of the meat, and they butcher up fast & easy. Generally I shoot adult does, but occasionally I'll take a larger fawn.
I used to shoot fawns but don't have it in me anymore. I like to give them a chance to grow up a bit. However, I will shoot a fawn if I'm having trouble filling my EAB tag...they are fair game then. They're my ticket to shooting another buck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZWYLxqyeLc The first deer I ever shot on film...you guessed it, fawn;button buck...I didn't just shoot the deer because it was on film, it was the first fawn I've ever shot, and to be honest, I would probably do it again. Depending on what I'm seeing, and how late in the season it is, I would shoot a fawn, just not a button buck.We don't put all this money into this sport for nothing. The meat was different for me, great! Easy carry, great meat!
This message is a direct result to statements made by Vito, I had what I believed to be a clear stance on shooting fawns or shooting a doe with fawns. I did do it once and the fawn sat around and watched me gut momma. I felt bad and was sure there was a legit reason I could provide(other than being a sissy) that provided me with an excuss not to shoot fawns or does with fawns. Vito made all my attemts seem completly silly and in all aspects of our discussion I knew he was right. Now on this day after giving it plenty of thought. I will once again shoot fawns or does with fawns or both at the same time(with different arrows of course). Lessons learned, 1. If it's legal to do don't judge someone for doing it. 2. Ethics has no place in this debat. 3. a deer is a deer is a deer(well put Dan). 4. Don't hate the player hate the game (don't be a sissy with a deadly weapon). 5. Most impotantly do not argue with Vito. After all he is a fawn orphaner pro staff member.
This is one fawn I sorta regret not shooting. The picture was taken on 1/3/2011. I had him under 20 yards on a few occasions before the season closed. I really wanted to have the hide tanned. But, for some reason, I couldn't do it.
Babies? Babies? Knowing you well Troy, I know you don't put animals on the same pedestal as people. But, babies is a poor choice of words.
The odds of that deer surviving an upper midwest winter are extremely low. But hey, putting an arrow through it and ending its life in seconds isn't as harsh as it suffering from starvation. Maybe if its lucky, coyotes or wolves will pull it to shreds before starvation drags out it's life.
I like you shed, but I have to agree with Dan, here. I know, big shocker. Couples that play together, stay together. Anyway, this mentality is part of why I think hunting is dying in this country. Viewing animals (deer in this case) as something other than an animal. Why is it okay to put an arrow through one if its a year older? Its an animal...it doesn't know the difference! Its the disney effect. There used to be hunters on this forum.
I'm not sure what rare has to do with it, but a fawn that size in early January has very low odds of surviving an upper midwest winter.
Dan first of all I can say I answered this ? soley based on my feelings. I DO NOT CARE in anyway shape or form if someone else shoots fawns or calf elk. A lot of my buddies shoot calf elk because the meat is so good and you get a lot of meat even off of a calf.. I guess there is something wrong with me.. because I do look at puppies, kittens, fawns and calves.. all as babies.. too.. Just like humans.. Its just a personal thing ... I watch calf elk and fawns play around my home almost daily, They run and play like children, they have very little association with any NEGATIVE stimuli.. like an older deer or elk do. I will go out of my way during rifle season here to scare the chit out of my local fawns and calf elk.. mothers too.. to educate them .... with our predator numbers, long rifle seasons and killer winters.. they have it tough enough impo
You did state that your kids will not shoot "babies" too. Judging by their age, I can only assume you had influence in that decision. So, I would say you do care what someone else shoots.
Smaller target......more precision. I was Raised to hunt for food.....I think if there was a cut and dried answer there would be regulations on size of deer, much like bear cubs here. They have to weigh more than 75 lbs I think.
