RE: Losing the killer instinct ...
I've passed several does......fawns.....does WITH fawns, this season. It's probably not the best idea, with what I'm trying to do, here.....but I've done it with no regrets.
That's my thing....I NEVER want to have a regret after I release an arrow. So far - so good.
I've taken a yearling doe and two really mature does, this year. Only one was alone.....but the others were in groups....so I had no way of knowing who was with who.
I "may" get to a point this year where I'll take a doe fawn.....and I might not. I'll have NO regrets if I do (decide to take one or two), though. None. They need thinning, here....and taking out all age classes isn't a bad thing.
Until you've hunted in another man's woods/shoes.....you have no educated idea of what he's up against OR what his desires are. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt most every time.
Good luck to all.