"Mature" deer....
 

JB got me thinking on another post.....about people bragging about taking "mature" deer.....and how that almost always meant "bucks". I agree.

However.....it got me thinking.....I had encounters with a very mature buck, this year.....and he's still out there. I had 1 encounter with a very mature doe.....but it was during the rut...and I didn't attempt a shot (a buck was following her).

I wonder how my deer hunting would change if ALL I hunted was "mature" deer? I'd have taken only 1 deer, this year (and for this....'I' assume a 3-3.5 yr old to be 'mature'). I can tell you ....."if" I ever get to harvest one of the matriarch does in my woods.....I'll come here and shout it out loud! To date.....they're as crafty as the bucks, though (maybe moreso!).

I (afer doing a little research) estimated the old gal I saw @5-6+. I hope to see her again....just to say I saw her. She's SO MUCH different than the other deer in the herd.

Just some thoughts....

RE: "Mature" deer....
 

agreed, ive got a few mature does running around that are almost as weary as bucks... but still not nearly as sneaky... when it comes towhacking does, the younger ones taste so much better ;);)

RE: "Mature" deer....
 

I've always felt that the mature does were beneficial to a healthy herd since they are experienced mothers and teachers. I've also read that the good genes are passed via the doe. (source = Don Higgins)

So personally, I would rather shoot the younger does.

RE: "Mature" deer....
 

I'm not comparing hunting the two (bucks vs. does). I'm just pointing out that where I hunt.....the sightings are about the same (# of mature bucks vs. # of mature does). Actually......I'd say I've only seen one "old" deer. Many will tell me that's because the bucks won't let me see them (and they may be right).

RE: "Mature" deer....
 

Hazcon.. so are bad genes...[:@]

RE: "Mature" deer....
 

"Hazcon.. so are bad genes...[:@] "

True. If it a well established herd with good genetics then one could speculate that the mature does are doing well at keeping the gene pool up. If it is a bad pool of genes then maybe it should be time to thin the old ladies out ;)

RE: "Mature" deer....
 

Hazcon......

I agree with you. That being said....I hope I didn't come across as I was going to target ONLY mature does. I'd like to take one, though. So far....they've eluded me. I WILL be laying the smack down on some young female deer in my woods, this Fall. Hopefully several times.

RE: "Mature" deer....
 

Nope, I didn't take it that way at all. I've taken 2 mature does myself.

RE: "Mature" deer....
 

I'll generally shoot the biggest doe of the group. But I also won't heistate to whack a 1.5 yr old doe. I'll say a big old doe can be a wary critter, but I get plenty of big lead does in range, way more than big old bucks.

RE: "Mature" deer....
 

On monday I killed one of each, big doe and a yearling...

Just like to mix it up sometimes.



Its a matter of preference, GMMAT feels that the older ones have more experience, which make them a better target...

Ion the other hand perfer the young, tender ones.... just remember, keep it legal fellas [8D]