HuntingNet.com Forums - View Single Post - Shoot/Don't shoot question
View Single Post
Old 09-10-2002 | 01:40 PM
  #8  
6ptsika
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Square NJ USA
Default RE: Shoot/Don't shoot question

Around here, I find the does still have milk into Mid Oct, so that's where I draw the line. They get run off anyway in Nov, so no problem there.
One thing to consider, all fawns can survive just fine once they're weaned, and some studies show a higher survival if the doe is shot, I guess they are forced to learn more, instead of just follow along.
Another thing, buck fawns are driven away from their does next spring when they give birth, and aren't allowed back into the family group later like the yearling does, so the 1 year old bucks disperse. By shooting the doe later in the year, you retain more bucks on your property, so it's a good sound management practice to shoot a doe later in the year, rather than a doe without young. At least if you have an unbalanced buck ratio, it is.
Of couse it's one of the joys of hunting to wwatch undetected as young fawmns play with each other in the early season, too good an opportunity to ruin by shooting a doe, IMO. You'll get your chance later.



"In heaven, even the fish have antlers"
6ptsika is offline  
Reply