RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

It's easy,she's the one that sees you first.:)Or the one with anose like a anteater.

RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

if i am tring to shoot a doe, i will shoot the biggest one in the group, i dont get too caught up in the age of does that i shoot

RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

I have seen just the opposite, the youngest deer appear first, followed by the doe that I assuming owns the fawn, then her sisters and then the parent of the two sisters with small bucks - I think the matriach is either A- by herselfor B. Is typically the last doe I see before I start seeing bucks - this has happened several times on the farmland of estern NC - A she is still Much larger than the others in the group- with a darker coat as well - typically younger deer sport a reddish brown coat - the old nannies have a greyish brown apperance

RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

I'll catch a lot of crap for this...but I'm used to it.

I know there are those who don't target mature does. Fine. But I'm targeting (as a management goal)any and all does that provide ethical shots. One thing I was gonna do this year to spice things up.....is target big, mature does, only (unless I'm hunting with trad gear). I've had encounters with them in the past......and come out on the short end WAY more times than with their same age structure male counterparts.;)

I have killed a couple decent bucks.....but only one doe that I would say was "mature".

I give them their due. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

I've had numerous conversation with Chris Kreh (Wildlife Bio. NCWRC) and he tells me the largest does I'm seeing (typically) are 2.5yr olds. In heavily populated areas (with limited nutritional avenues) this is the case (again....typically). The older does are not (even "typically")the largest does.

Don't have a clue how it is where YOU hunt.

RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

There also should be a listing in the P/Y club for the oldest doe.:eek:

RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

I don't actually target the most mature doe so to speak. If I decide I'm gonna whack a doe, the first good shot I get is in trouble. BUT, if a group of let's just say 5 does were to walk by, I will shoot the lead doe if given the opportunity. If not, any of the 5 is fine with me......Dead doe is a dead doe, better than no dead doe. Sure, if we're micro managing our herd, some does are more favorable to kill than others......

But like I said.....a dead doe is better than no dead doe. I will, however, pass the doe fawns. Every time.

RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

- that is my plan every year - I understand your strategy very well, I have taken few matriachs over the years and it represents like you stated a challange - a 3 year old doe is as smart as or smarter that bucks of the same age structure - and the feeling when you take one of them out is very rewarding

RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

You oughta know, Frank. The one you took here was a beauty.;) She was a whopper forthese woods.

RE: Mature - Matriarch does....how to discern?
 

mobow.....don't misunderstand...."we" ;)are gonna have strict guidelines if you're hunting in the land around where I live. "Brown (and female) is down".:)

I'd like for my friends to kill a lot of them this year. I'd like to watch more than I shoot.

For my purposes.....I'm gonna try for a big ol gal.