Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

Seeing the beforeor after the rut poll got me thinking. I hunt in south eastern South Dakota. I was just curious if shooting a mature doe that has fawns, early in the season has a impact on the survival of those fawns. I couple years back I shot a doe the first week in Oct. that had a fawn with her, at the time I didnt think anything of it until I picked up the trail 45 mins. later. She only went about 50 yards, but the fawn was standing by her. I didnt feel real good about that at the time and I guess since then I elected to let the does walk until they are all by themselves. I just want to know what you think about this and if letting the fawns with mom for awhile helps there survival rate.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

I think the fawns will be fine. They have already learned what to eat and they will survive.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

I believe it does. I think the longer they are with them the more they learn and will survive. Last year a doe was killed on the highway in front of our house and we watch the fawn for days wondering around. It didn't seem to know what to do or where to go. It too ended up died on the highway because it didn't know to leave and hide. I think the longer it stays with the doe the best for it. If I shoot a doe I alway watch to make sure it's a dry doe.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

If they're weened, they will be fine.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

They start the season at that time for a reason. The fawns will be fine. Might miss mama for a while, but they will get over it.

How do you know a doe is dry when she is walking by you?:eek:

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

Shoot the fawns and the doe, and boom theres no problem.:D

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

You should feel bad for shoot that doe. I would have dropped the fawn because it's less hassle on the drag and better eating.:D Of course if you drop momma right in her tracks, you can shoot bambi to but that takes practice.;)

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

Hey fieldmouse, i agree with you 100%.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

Im not sure on that one. I did shoot a doe with two fawns years ago, hunted the same stand for the next three days looking for a buck, and the fawns were showing up constantly in those three days. I try and shoot the loners to anymore.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

omg im not tree hugger but that would make me sick seeing a fawn standing over its dead mother haveing no clue what happened.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

Yea shooting both the doe and the fawn might have been the best choice at the time, and I could have no problem, except at that time South Dakota only allowed one anterless archery tag per year and they were on a lottery draw no less, wow how times have changed.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

From what I've been told and from what I've read and witnessed......doe fawns stay with mama for life. Buck fawns will be with her through the hunting season, anyways. So....if you're waiting for the does to be "all by themselves"....you may be in for a long wait.

I've got a population problem....and I'll be targeting does, this year. My personal position is....to not shoot anything in spots....or anything with spots in tow. Once out of spots....mama and fawn are fair game (does). I've never regretted shooting any deer......and I hope I can say that after this (and subsequent) season.

And for those of you NOT in the South....I'm betting we have some VERY recent newborns right now. I woudn't be surprised if we still don't have a few carrying. I start hunting in less than 50 days. I've seen fawns in the field that "I" don't think would survive without mama. I may be wrong.....but I'm not going to find out.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

I killed a doe last night 7/19 using a crop damage permit. There were 2 does and 2 fawns in the bean field munching away. I glassed them for awhile to make sure that the fawns were in fact eating the beans....and they were. I don't know which doe the two fawns belonged to, maybe one fawn for each doe, but I am confident that thefawns will survive. There was still milk in mama's udder and I'm sure that the fawns still took advantage of that, but I don't believe that they needed it to survive.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

If the spots are gone, they will be fine. That being said, i try not too shoot a doe if it has a fawn behind her.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

hey guys, this makes me wonder, do you shoot fawns? or does by the time hunting seasson comes, there spots are gone?

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

Around here.....they're still in spots when the season starts.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

I've seen them in spots at the start of season 10/1 and Im from Michigan.

RE: Shooting a doe with fawns to early?
 

Agreed on both parts.