Went up north this weekend and saw tons of does but they all had fawns. Just curious what you guys think about shooting does with fawns with the rut coming up as they will be on their own soon anyways. I didn't shoot because there is a pretty healthy wolf population by us and was thinking without the does the fawns would be quick meals for a wolf. Would you guys have taken the does?
I wait for the fawn to look the other way and then I sling an arrow at mom! It's pretty late in the season to be worrying about does with fawns. I doubt you will impact the overall survival rate by what you do or don't do! Just don't tell your kids or your wife if you have'm!
Lol! I laughed at that but no...I don't shoot does with fawns but I'm a soft hearted dolt.... The fawns are plenty old enough to survive fine at this point, I don't know how much it will impact their survival rate, if any...I just can't stand the thought of doing it. I passed up a shot this morning on a doe with a fawn. I have does that need thinned out but there are plenty of singles in cameras and I almost got a shot at one this morning. I know guys that shoot one or both and others that don't shoot either like me. Only advice I'll give is do what you feel comfortable with.
Man, I haven't killed a deer- buck, doe, or fawn in 2 years. I'll kill their shadow if I get a chance. haha
ROFL! I hear ya...I haven't killed a deer with a bow in four years, the last three of which I only gun hunted. I'm deffinitely lowering my proverbial "bar" this year as well but I still just can't stand to shoot a doe off a fawn....then again I don't need to either. I shot a doe off a fawn when I was 14 and both the doe and the fawns reaction just punched me in the gut and I never got over it. I still have the ordeal burned in my memory like a video 24 years later....bleh... Doesn't bother me that others do it though...whatever. I had an uncle that liked meat from young deer. One time I saw him shoot two fawns with a .35 rifle and they both fit in a gunny sack. That was a little unsporting IMO.
I don't shoot does with fawns. It does not matter to me if it is October 1st or January 15th. I just don't.
If you want to kill a deer,kill a deer. Myself, I shoot the fawns for a number of reasons. Tender meat,easier to drag out,etc. And its more sporting since you're shooting at a much smaller target
I passed the same doe with three fawns at the beginning of October, so far. We have a heavy coyote and bobcat population on the farm land I hunt. I like to think that with momma on point it gives the survivability rate a little bigger boost until she kicks em on down the road.
Yea, I bow hunt for deer, I'll try my hand at Muzzleloading next year. Not a big shotgun fan for deer. I had several deer, including an awesome 10 point big body deer (huge trophy for nw jersey on public land) sit at 80-90 yards 3 times last year.
I agree with that. Another reason I'll shoot the fawns if I want some meat. Also,if a doe was a good enough momma to raise up a couple of fawns I like to keep her around.
Ohhhh I thought about bustin her, or at least one of the fawns on their third walk by. Little momma had been grapping at me to get some meat in the freezer. So I went ahead and passed on em, but I didn't on the young six point on Friday. Been making deer jerky all weekend. : )
I killed a doe... With a fawn... for the first time ever on Saturday night. I woke up. I went hunting. I found her. I went to church at night. Now I watch football. To each his own, you got to make your own decisions in this game. Best advice I can give is have a plan, your own personal plan - not the internets and stick to it!
Personal preference I guess. I'm shooting the doe. Besides, just because you don't see the fawns with her, doesn't mean she doesn't have any.
I try not to shoot does with fawns just in the simple principle that im a softy like some of you guys have said. I did shoot a fawn this past weekend though because it was my first chance at a deer with a recurve. With a compound it would have been a different story, but I was really excited to shoot something with a trad bow. People can hate all they want, a deer is a deer, and its your decision when the time comes. In my eyes it was great, great shot, quick kill, and good eats. Thats what i call a good deer hunt!!
