This has been a great post. I clearly understand your concern. I have always been a firm believer in blasting the does down at a rate of 3-4 does for every buck. So for example I was once in a club that hunted 17,000 acres and we would kill about 300 does a year and about 50 bucks. The land could handle that amount of harvest, it was extremely good hunting ground. Next, I hunted a 5,000 acres island and we would kill around 100 does and about 20-25 bucks. This also seemed to help out.

Now, I own and hunt 470 acres and I find myself in the same position as you. I KNOW I have a preferred buck bedding area. I have the food, the water, the cover. But if I don't have the does, they will leave. I've been struggling with the amount of does to take off the property. This year, we took 5 does and 1 buck. I don't think we hurt the herd at all, but I also don't see a need to increase the kill quota for next season. IMO, it all depends on what you are seeing on the stand and what your food plots look like. If you are seeing 6-7 does every time you hunt, you've probably got way to many.

I feel your pain, it's a tough decision.