We as hunters have to make our own choices.If its legal to take a fawn,and u want it,take it. If we start picking apon eachother,we just fall to the same level as PETA,SPCA(both the same by the way) We need to stick together!Bow cross bow,rifle,pistol...atlatal.....To each their own. It would be like me saying''deep wood hunters work harder and are better hunters than ''farm land''hunters.Food plot hunters,or even states that allow ''baiting''.....''CAN OPEN!....WORMS EVERYWHERE!!!!!! If its allowed ...do it...its u'r choice! I care not what others think of me or my ethics....
That was me. Virginia's EAB is different from some other EAB states. There are several counties that are EAB and they ARE over-populated. We're allowed to take a buck first but must kill an antlerless deer prior to taking a second buck. Back in 2008, I shot this guy on Halloween. I had previously killed a buck on Oct 13th and was encountering a couple good bucks afterwards but wasn't legal to shoot them. I actually had the biggest buck I'd seen in the woods (at that time) 30 yards from me but couldn't shoot. That day really tested my ethics and I passed. Needless to say, I was getting desperate and took this little guy the first chance I had. So, I won't kill a fawn unless I absolutely have to. :D
When we were EAB you could earn your sticker the year before by shooting a doe. And since I shoot 2 does every year I was never forced to shoot a deer I didn't want to. While I love the taste of venison I would never shoot a fawn just to get the meat. But I am also lucky enough to hunt a target rich environment so getting does isn't that hard to do :D
Really? Thought everyone knew that. Yes, his property is 205 acres and 35 in the middle is a high fence "Research Facility." I'll add that I know he's done a ton of good for the whitetail community and is very well respected, but am a little hesitant to believe all of his data can be related to the real world, if its coming from a 35 acre facility. Seems it could be skewed.
I did not know that .. to be honest with you, I don't know much about any of these guys on TV cept the guys on here.... I trust you all on here more than any of them ..
I've shot fawns In the past and I'm sure I'll shoot more In the present. Like people have said, most are not on the ball and are easy targets but to me their just as dumb as a 1.5 year old buck. I'd much rather take a doe for the simple fact there's more meat but I'm sure not going to pass on a doe fawn come the last day of our deer season If I'm still with out a deer. Matter of fact In 2008 I shot a doe fawn the last hour and day of our archery deer season. She dressed out at 60lbs.
I only shoot MATURE fawns. Seriously though, I don't shoot fawns. Reason being is I am scared to death of shooting a button buck. Several years ago I shot what I thought was a doe fawn and it turned out to be a nubber. I looked that thing over up and down in my binos before the shot to make sure it didn't have buttons, but sure enough it did. Anthromorphism, or giving animals or other wildlife human like traits or characteristics, does play a role a bit to me. I am softy when it comes to hunting. I love all animals and hate seeing them die. Every time I shoot a deer I feel bad for it, and personally question why I take such enjoyment in taking an animal's life. In fact, I think every hunter should feel a little something when they shoot an animal. Everyone is different of course, but taking an animal's life without a combination of humility, thankfulness, and question would feel strange to me. Do I shoot fawns? No. Why? Because I don't want it to be a button buck. I do have a soft spot for animals, especially the "baby" ones. Why not? They're cute ( I know,), and shooting one wouldn't do as much for me as shooting an older deer. But it's like Dan said, a deer is a deer is a deer. But shooting a fawn and thinking, "Garsh! What's wrong with me! Now this little guy won't get to go play with Thumper in the meadow this afternoon! I quit hunting!" is a bit much. You simply have to force yourself to not allow your brain to think that an animal thinks like a human. Someone made the comment that they shot a doe and the fawn watched them field dress it and it made them feel bad. Sure, that would be a sucky feeling. Was the fawn watching you with tears in its eyes wondering how you could be so inhumane and shoot its mother? No, it was curious. All that fawn knows is it's mother died and it needs to find some deer to hang out with soon, or it too will encounter the same fate, or worse, starvation or predation (wolves, 'yotes). I am not directing the above paragraph at those who feel that way, I used the pronoun "you" to better illustrate my point.
You know, I wasnt going to say anything since I am fairly new here, but a few days ago I posted a question about Carbon suits that I was curious to get responses to and YOU encouraged people not to respond. If you don't look down on people for their thoughts, why would you want to try to suppress them? This forum is not your pulpitt.............are you a REAL preacher? because you dont seem very tolerant of other people's thoughts and ideas.........
