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....

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

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.

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).

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

"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

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.

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

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.

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]