maybe a weird question, but...
 

hey fellas. im just wandering if you guys have any "standards" or limits on the size, age and maturity of deer that you kill. does it have to be a certain size doe, a certain # of points for a buck and so forth. Also, this is where the "weird" part comes in, does anyone shoot fawns? I hope this isnt an outragous question, i have never killed one but im just wandering if its ethically wrong or whatever. i heard the younger the deer, themore tneder the meat, but how young is too young, you know? i have never really heard one way or the other on the topic, but neither have i ever heard of someone shooting a fawn. I guess my ignorance is due to lack of investigation, so this is why im wandering. I dont want to come across a situation where i have to debate whether its wrong or right, or does it come down to just personal preference? thanks alot guys

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

Welcome to the forums!
As for your question, itis up to you, just don't break the law doing it. They all taste great.

Good luck,
Txmm

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

i know many people will probably try to convince me not to do this, but when it comes to shooting bucks, im taking a shot at the first one that comes by. Now this is only because in PA there is a restriction on the size bucks you can shoot. In my area, a buck must have 4 scorable (1" or more) points on one side. Lucky for me, this rule does not apply to juniors. So im taking advantage of it while i can. Its not about killing a big buck, ill have plenty of time for that in 2 years. For now, Im just having fun huntin!:D

And as to shooting fawns, I try not too. Ive always found that does generally tast better than bucks of any age. I will always pass a shot at a small doe. A week befor archery season closed, I had a small one standing 15 yards in front of me broadside for 10 minutes. The mother was at 20 yards but i could not get a good shot at her, so i passed them both. Had i been given the opportunity, i would have taken a shot at the larger doe. I cant really tell you exactly how "big" a deer must be for me to take it, its just something i decide when im out hunting.

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

ok. and im guessing (from what i have heard and havent heard) that fawns are legal to kill, correct? thanks alot

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

For me I'm shooting any Doe that is with in range! Here in wisconsin we have a somewhat unlimited number of antlerless tags in the Unit I hunt over the counter for 12 dollars! There's ALOT of Does in that area! As far as a Buck is concerned I can't really say what I'll shoot till the time comes! I passed on about 6 different spike, forks and 6 pointers this season! They were just not the buck I wanted to shoot! JMO! Good luck!

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

Check your state and county game laws for that answer, or tell us where you're hunting and maybe someone on here can tell you. It is still better for you to check the Regulations yourself rather than to take someone's word for it.

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

Welcome to the forums geterdun2
It's all a matter of personal preference for alot of hunters out there , for me when it comes to bucks I have an eight point rule.
I know at times it can be my down fall like this year I had a few shot oppertunitys to take a young buck , like a small six at 15 yards.
When it comes to does , they would have to be a good size body wise at least over 150 lbs. and not tending young yearlings.
I may have to break my eight point rule this year before my season ends , I dont like the thought of eating tag soup .

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

Work on getting close to one first, shooting one isn't any easier.:DYou might find your own answer.:DMany guys will say something like "I'd just like to get anything" or "I'm shooting the first one that I get a chance at" after a season or 5 or 10.:D

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

If it looks to be worth hanging and skinning it's going down , I don't care whether it has antlers or not . When I size up a deer before a shot size matters , it has to put a good sized dent in the freezer space or it walks .

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

If it leads, it bleeds....(jk) I usually pass onfawns until real late in the season and then have passed on them also. Just depends on howgood the hunting has been to at that point.;)

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

I think you are considering "fawns" young deer with spots.

I'm not sure, but maybe you don't realize, that most fawns are born in the spring and by the time hunting season arrives in the fall, they will be 5 or 6 months old and lose their spots. There are a few that were born late and may still have spots, however.

Hunting seasons are during the fall.

Any button buck is actually a fawn from the previous spring.

I just wanted to clear that up. if you didn't know.

Yes, some of us shoots " fawns", and yes, they are better eating.


Here is a fawn.

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

This is the same deer about 7 months later

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

If you are going to be proud as a father on fathers day. Shoot it. Dont be embaressed of what you take.

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

ill shoot any mature doe and ill only shoot bucks 120 and bigger.

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

I'ts not a weird question, Just one you should ask in the beginning
Around here in illinois we try to wait for 21/2 old bucks or older.

does-they're all good. Mass is more meat. Younger does and fawns are generally tasteyer. I hunt in the fall. deer are born around the spring.
Thats how old the younger ones are! and plenty of people shoot fawns

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

heres what we consider mature on our farm.
160lb doe and 240lb 8 pointer weighed on state certified scale.

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

I'll shoot mature does and try to hold offfor a larger buck.

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

Personally when im buck hunting, i always try to shoot a buck that is as big or bigger then last years buck. Just a personal goal for me. So far i have alwayssucceded.If i dont get a buck then so be it. It's not the end of the world and if i need the meat i can always shoot a doe.

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

WELL IF YOUR A STRICT HUNTER FOR THE BEST MEAT A FAWN IS TENDER JUICY NOT AS GAMEY SO YES THERE A LITTLE BETTER BUT YOU GET 35 TO 40 IBS. OF MEAT VERSES A BUCK THAT STILLTASTE VERY GOOD AND ITS GOT 90 TO 120 IBS OF MEAT I WOULD GO FOR BIG BUCKS AND MY SIZE LIMIT ON A DEER IS 4X4 IN EARLY SEASON 2X2 IN LATE SEASON HOPE YOU GET HIM.;);););)

RE: maybe a weird question, but...
 

It sounds as though you are new to bowhunting. If that is the case, I strongly recommend that you shoot any legal deer that presents a safe, ethical shot opportunity. As others have mentioned, fawns are legal for bowhunting almost everywhere, and they don't look much different from adult does, only smaller. I'm an experienced hunter, and Ideliberately shoot fawns in some situations. Good Luck!