all does

[Bobby5]

Ive been hunting about 20 times this year and all i have been seeing is does. I was wondering if i shoot a couple does will it decrease my population or will other deer move in? Since its getting close to the rut i was thinking twice about shooting a doe.

[Indiana Dude]

Shoot those does. I think having too many doe just makes it too easy for a buck to get
what he wants.
If there are less does then the bucks will have to move around more to get a piece!

[Roost em 1st]

Could be wrong and I'm sure someone will point it out if I am but I believe that managing for large racked Bucks requires eliminating does. Not all together but definitely keep the numbers down is what I've heard.

[wally83]

doe population is too high the earn a buck program where you have to shoot a doe before a buck should be put in place ...in alot more areas.....take a doe bobby5

[farm hunter]

I agree - shoot a couple does if you can.

On the bright side - Mid November is approaching fast and I imagine if ever there was a time to have a lot of does - the next 2 weeks should be good buck hunting for you.

FH

[NHBuck]

The does are actually chasing off your bucks. There are studies that show that most 1 1/2 yo bucks are actually chased off by their mother. They then are forced to travel to establish their own territory. They travel a considerable distance as was monitored by radio collars. Most probably a selective natural way to prevent genetic issues within the herd. By eliminating a few of the mature does you will lessen the amount of 1 1/2 year old bucks that will leave your area.

[MD Piney]

With the deer population booming in almost all parts of the US there are probably very few areas where harvesting a few does is a bad idea. The deer population has risen so much here in MD that a few of our counties allow for unlimited doe harvest. Of course these areas are mostly wooded suburbs.

Take a few does...

Good Luck,
MD Piney

[yeoman]

Don't forget that 1/3 of those "does" are button bucks. Be selective and study them with optics before you shoot.

[BrutalAttack]

a good way to increase your herd health and increase the number of bucks is to take some older less productive does. This will increase production of the younger does and lower the buck:doe ratio which will increase the chances that more does get bred and increase available resources toward bucks. I don't entirely agree with the statement that does are "chasing all your bucks away".....besides you should view that as a good thing considering it increases herd health.

[FlDeerman]

Shoot the does.