First Bow Kill
09-21-2006 | 10:25 AM
#12
Typical Buck
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maryland (St. Mary\'s)
RE: First Bow Kill
I've sent your statement to a wildlife biologist friend of mine who works for DNR. We'll see if he has a comment either way.
I wonder....If the doe that was shot was born late last year and then came into "cycle" later that same year....if a buck go hold of her...who knows!
Interesting to say the least.
I wonder....If the doe that was shot was born late last year and then came into "cycle" later that same year....if a buck go hold of her...who knows!
Interesting to say the least.
09-21-2006 | 12:27 PM
#13
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From:
RE: First Bow Kill
as far as nubs on Does yes this can happen thats why here in N.H. we have to shot 3in or more to be legal yeah it's weird but the things I have read from and those I have talked to say it has to do with minerals and things they eat baby inside well that is weird I do know that rut happens in stages and she must have been breed late in season, last yr while i was huntin 1 st day out a doe and fawn came out , fawn was real little so that can happen . Congrads on your 1 st deer mine was 2 yrs ago 20 yard 128 lb DOE.
Heidi N.H.
Heidi N.H.
09-22-2006 | 04:21 AM
#14
Typical Buck
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maryland (St. Mary\'s)
RE: First Bow Kill
Okay...here is the scoop from my biologist buddy at DNR. Enjoy. Even if this is not the case, the info he provides is good stuff.
************************************************** ****
Well, I'm very confident in saying that inbreeding is not the problem….. Here is a quick low down on the deer breeding cycle.
Late October/early November - mature does come into heat and are bred.
Late November/early December - does that were not bred or did not become pregnant during their first breeding cycle come into heat a second time (second rut).
Late December/January - Does not bred or did not become pregnant during October and November come into heat a third time and fawns in good physical condition come into heat, third rut.
Late January/Early February - Due to changes in the amount of daylight and lower testosterone levels in buck breeding ceases and bucks loose their antlers.
February - Due to the changes in the amount of daylight and changes in the deer hormone levels deer, under normal circumstances, a deer will not come into heat again until the fall
Early May/Mid-May - Does bred early in the first rut (October) give birth to fawns.
Late May/Early June - The majority of does give birth during this time.
Late June/July - Does bred in the "second rut" give birth.
Mid July/Late July - Does and fawns bred in January give birth. That should be the end of the birthing season.
Late October - Breeding season begins again.
The gestation period of a White-tailed deer is a little over 6 months, +/- 200 days. Therefore, for a deer to still be pregnant on September 15, she would have been bred the very end of February. This is not impossible, but very unlikely. What is more likely to have happened is that the fetus died, for whatever reason, and the doe has just not yet gotten rid of it. The age of the deer would say a lot here. If it was 1-1.5 years old when it was killed, it is possible that it was a fawn that came into heat very late, but finding a buck that still has the stamina to bred her is very unlikely. Daylight more than temperature drives the rutting cycle in white-tailed deer. For the most part all does will be bred during the first and second rut, then the occasional fawn late. However, in a situation where a population is out of balance and there are too many does, the bucks literally cannot tend to all the does that are coming into heat at virtually the same time (OH what a problem to have, hhmmm…) and physically run themselves ragged.
Very interesting situation and one that makes me think, thanks for throwing it my way. I like this kind of science, give me some more!
************************************************** ****
Well, I'm very confident in saying that inbreeding is not the problem….. Here is a quick low down on the deer breeding cycle.
Late October/early November - mature does come into heat and are bred.
Late November/early December - does that were not bred or did not become pregnant during their first breeding cycle come into heat a second time (second rut).
Late December/January - Does not bred or did not become pregnant during October and November come into heat a third time and fawns in good physical condition come into heat, third rut.
Late January/Early February - Due to changes in the amount of daylight and lower testosterone levels in buck breeding ceases and bucks loose their antlers.
February - Due to the changes in the amount of daylight and changes in the deer hormone levels deer, under normal circumstances, a deer will not come into heat again until the fall
Early May/Mid-May - Does bred early in the first rut (October) give birth to fawns.
Late May/Early June - The majority of does give birth during this time.
Late June/July - Does bred in the "second rut" give birth.
Mid July/Late July - Does and fawns bred in January give birth. That should be the end of the birthing season.
Late October - Breeding season begins again.
The gestation period of a White-tailed deer is a little over 6 months, +/- 200 days. Therefore, for a deer to still be pregnant on September 15, she would have been bred the very end of February. This is not impossible, but very unlikely. What is more likely to have happened is that the fetus died, for whatever reason, and the doe has just not yet gotten rid of it. The age of the deer would say a lot here. If it was 1-1.5 years old when it was killed, it is possible that it was a fawn that came into heat very late, but finding a buck that still has the stamina to bred her is very unlikely. Daylight more than temperature drives the rutting cycle in white-tailed deer. For the most part all does will be bred during the first and second rut, then the occasional fawn late. However, in a situation where a population is out of balance and there are too many does, the bucks literally cannot tend to all the does that are coming into heat at virtually the same time (OH what a problem to have, hhmmm…) and physically run themselves ragged.
Very interesting situation and one that makes me think, thanks for throwing it my way. I like this kind of science, give me some more!
09-22-2006 | 05:23 AM
#17
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 0
From: La Porte CityWaterloo Iowa
RE: First Bow Kill
Congrats on your first bow kill! If you are like me(and most bowhunters) you will never forget that hunt.
I hope you realize that you are now forever hooked and there is no turning back now
Enjoy the backstraps!
I hope you realize that you are now forever hooked and there is no turning back now
Enjoy the backstraps!
09-22-2006 | 07:45 AM
#19
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,132
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, AK
RE: First Bow Kill
CONGRATS ON YOUR FIRST!!!!!! That is a memory that will stick with you forever.
PS. What do you mean "only a doe"? Your first bow harvest is something to be proud of no matter how big or small it is. Heck, any harvest is something to be proud of!
Congrats again!
PS. What do you mean "only a doe"? Your first bow harvest is something to be proud of no matter how big or small it is. Heck, any harvest is something to be proud of!
Congrats again!
09-22-2006 | 08:23 AM
#20
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,966
Likes: 0
From: Harford Co Maryland USA
RE: First Bow Kill
First of all, congrats on your first bowkill! secondly, I'm with the others here on the "just a doe" comment. You needn't apologize for taking a doe - does should be harvested as well as bucks to help keep the buck/doe ratio in check and to control the deer population. Many of us take does -- heck, here in MD, you are forced to take a few does before you can shoot a 2nd buck and they encourage shooting a LOT of does here. Enjoy your success.
