I hear this all the time and thought maybe we could discuss it here......[/align][/align]Help me understand the thoughtprocess of somethat bucks are somuch harder to kill than does?[/align][/align]Other than the ratio of does :bucks being tipped in favor of doesI can't really come up with anything other thendoesdo not lose their predictability throughout the fall like rutting bucks do.[/align][/align]An inexperienced young buck is the easiest animal in the woods to kill especially during the pre-rut, throughout the peak and into the post-rut. Most yearling bucks are just learning their new grounds from yearling displacement, they are experiencing theirfirst hunting season without the guidance of their mother and are totally new to the breeding game. [/align][/align]A doe on the other hand does not have excessive testosterone and the overwhelming urge to breed overcoming her senses causing her to make foolish moves day in and day out.[/align][/align]Mature deer arealways hard to kill buck or doe. Although mature bucks have a chink in their defenses during the rut making them more susceptible to falling to a hunter. I am willing to bet the number of4 1/2+ year old doe harvests aren't that much higher than4 1/2+ year old buck harvests. [/align][/align]What's your take? I am not looking for an arguement just an adultdiscussion. Let me see your point of view, perhaps it can shed some light on this topic for me.[/align][/align]Don't take this as Iam saying that killing deer is or is not easy. That is not what I am getting at. Ijust want to know why does are "easier" to kill then bucks.[/align]

I don't think 3.5 year old does are any smarter or harder to kill than a comparable aged buck. I believe it is a sheer numbers thing, most of the northeast has probably 3-10 does of this age group compared to every 1 buck in this age group. I have been busted by these damn mature does more than any other critter in the woods............

Actually i think alot of it depends on the hunting preasssure in your area, I know where I hunt youll get busted by a doe damned near every nite yet youll have a nice buck walk right under you every other day. Play the wind right and youll be good to go.

An oldmatriarc doe is one of the toughest deer to kill imo.

I agree, it's a sheer number issue but I couldn't agree more that a 1.5 yr old buck is easier to take than a crafty old doe....she's protector her and her fawn does or matriarch family, immature bucks are on their own.

I don't believe it is the same for does and bucks. Once a doe reaches 3.5 or 4.5 years can be just as hard to kill than a buck of the same age. Once they have reached that age they have ran into a lot of things and learned what to do and what not to do.

I think when deer reach this age they have daily routines they stick to. Like finding a good bedding spot in which they can see things clearly in front of them and use the wind behind them to detect preditors. When moving I believe these deer use the wind at all times, walking into it and using there noses. During the rut bucksand does bothare more suseptable to screw upbecause the bucks are chasing and thedoes are bing chased.So I think they arebothmore likelyto lettheir guard down at times. In our area the smart bucks like to pushtheir hot does into the openand bed down with themin open fense lines because it makes them feel safer. Because in the open they can use their eyes and nose best, and they can keep track of their doe better in the open.

Thats my view on things

A doe old or not is easier to kill than a mature buck, period.

A doe will not go nocturnal - she is hampered by yearlings - they are hungry thay make mistakes - she has to deal with them - she moves much more - and in a more regular pattern.

A mature buck is a loner - he does what he pleases - Yes he makes mistakes at times - and can do some dumb **** - but generally they are much more stealthy.

Mature bucks IMO are super paranoid and on edge - Like a bunch of Coke addicts running around thinking the Government is after them

There are quite a few good points being made.
Especially does with fawns. They are kinda prone to make mistakes based on the young'uns. Or at least the preoccupation that the youngs ones take away from mom.

Also you know we are always asking how old is this buck or that buck...Never once have I seen that asked about a doe.
Buckeye may make a good point! What is the average age of our doe kills??

I'm kind of with Rack.
A mature buck is harder to kill than a mature doe, based on personality. The buck will go nocturnal, and only has to worry about his survival. The doe has young that she needs to take to food and tend to. That's not saying the doe isn't wary or a worthy adversary, just that she has to take way more chances. Young bucks and does are fairly easy to kill. Young bucks cause they are really dumb, young does cause there are lots of them.

While my buddy Rack makes some great and especially valid points, I gotta agree with this: