OK BHB.....come along for a ride into "My world".....

To answer your question, plainly.....NO. There's nothing wrong with a lot of does. The caveat is, though.....IF you also have a lot of bucks. What you're striving for is a better "balance" (buck:doe ratio). 1:1 would be ideal....but 1:2 wouldn't be anything to sneeze at, either.

Nothing wrong with a lot of does.....until they become too many for the property to sustain (overflow the carrying capacity for the land they inhabit). You could be heavily doe laden (as far as buck:doe ratio)....but as far as "I" am concerned....still...just having a lot of does wouldn't be the end of the world.

OK.....so let's say you DO have too many does for your area....OR....your buck:doe ratio is out of whack (these are the issues that face a LOT of guys who post here). I disagree on only taking the most mature animals from the herd. I think you'd be better served in taking out does from across the age spectrum. Some bios back this....but it's far from being set in stone (as the best method).

Also...I think it's important to note.....that most people have a VERY unrealistic (in a negative way) view of their buck:dpe ratio. I know I used to.....until I learned more about it. It's impossible for it to get to numbers I see cited here, sometimes. When you see guys saying it's 1:10 and even hogher.....throw up your bull**** meter's red flag. It's mathematically impossible for this to occur.

A deer herd with a buck:doe ratio of 1:1 creates competition for mating (good for hunters). I'd love to see LESS deer.....but more bucks. I have too many does, here.....and that's why I target them when it makes sense in my hunts to take them (I even go into some hunts looking for a doe).

Other things....

1. Does will push bucks off of food sources if they heavily outnumber them.
2. Bucks use a TREMENDOUS amount of energy during the rut. The more does they have to try to breed.....the more energy they have to use doing that .....instead of using that energy to build their bodies and their racks.
3. Bucks, by nature, are a more solitary creature. This is why MANY (including myself, previously) think their buck:doe ratio is worse than it really is. They're just not seeing the bucks.....but they're seeing a lot of does. SO they put 2 and 2 together......kinda. Bucks won't want to frequent areas that are heavily doe laden. It goes against their survival instinct to be so visible as to be seen with a larger herd. They'll (some of them) chance a bachelor group.....but a large group isn't normally in their makeup. There are exceptions to this....the rut....winter yarding....etc...but in general....bucks don't hag out where a lot of does hang out. I've had to learn this, too.

I hope if you have more questions you'll send me a PM. Jeff knows - Too many does.

If I screwed this up....I'm sure someone will set me straight....but I've done a LOT of reading on this subject...as it's one close to my heart.