First of all, one must realize that the Wildlife Department allows cow hunting with this in mind. Next, it sounds like the proper question should be " Should I shoot a cow, period?" . Most cows have calves on their side in the fall and most of the time hunters may not even see the calf.

I was faced with this dilemna a few years ago when a cow/calf pair came by on a bowhunting trip. Knowing the fact from raising by own cattle I knew that weaning was fast approaching and that by the size of the young, he/she would get along just fine. I elected to take the cow as a clean shot was offered.

This is merely a personal decision based upon one' s comfort zone. Morally I feel I could not bash someone for taking a cow with a young calf during season as State game managers are aware of the situation and do not address it. Most calves born in early spring will probably be fine on their own and fit into the herd for future years.