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

I READ ARTICLE LAST YEAR THAT REPORTED YOUNGER DOES ARE THE OPPOSITE OF YOUNGER BUCKS...YOUNGER DOES GIVE BETTER GENES AND OLDER BUCKS GIVE BETTER GENES.
I'LL TRY AND FIND THE ARTICLE. IT ALSO TALKED ABOUT REPRODUCTION RATES OF YOUNG VS OLDER AND FOUND YOUNGER DOES HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF REPRODUCING.

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

If you are talking about seeing them right now or lately, I believe it is because the mothers haven't dispersed them yet. I have tons of cam pics and videos showing both fawns still with their mothers. In another month or so when the does near birthing, the buck fawns will be dispersed. You'll see groups of bucks (last years fawns) start banding up (new bachelor groups) and roaming around. They are bewildered and have to find a place where they are accepted or at least not harrassed too badly.

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

There the ones with bluish white hair and lot's of mascara! But seriously,if you have ample time to watch a group of doe's it is relatively easy to determine who the matriarch is.She feeds where she wants,no other doe will challenge or intrude on the spot she is feeding,no other doe will aggressively posture toward her,the sub dominant doe's will yield to her.Those things in conjunction with her physical characteristics should provide enough information.

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

I understand that aspect..but thats true of any doe..age or herd status doesn't chnage that.

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

I answered all of your questions. I must not understand what you are getting at. Maybe you lost me with that talk of magic woods wisdom.....

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

Nah nevermind I think I have my answer, and you're right maybe there is no magic woods wisdom to be found ;)

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

In all actuality, for the good of your deer herd, you should not be targeting the matriarch. You should be after the inferior does, the older, beyond maturity does and the fawns.

Speaking from MN, the fawns and the very old does beyond dominantare the least likely to survive the winter whether from harsh conditions or predators, they also are the least likely to throw good fawns (the fawns havent proven anything and older deer may just be too old). By taking these deer out with your bow, you are ensuring a little more food for the rest of the heard. By targeting the matriarch, you are going against nature and the idea of survival of the fittest, she has stood the test of time, she has proven to be the strongest doe, with theoretically the best genes and therefore throws the healthiest fawns. She is also the least likely to allow an inferior buck to breed her. Simply put, she is the one ensuring the best deer are in your area.

I tend to target the non nubbin fawns, might not be as much meat but it sure is the best!

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

I don't put much effort into it. If she's big I'll shoot her. Ifshe's long faced I'll shoot her.

But then agian, if she's a doe, I'll most likely shoot her :D

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

That is about the extent of it. Most of the does I shoot are 1 1/2. Great eating and not too small. Especially in Wis. Where we have EAB, I try to shoot the first doe I can. I give it the first two weekends, after that I wait until after gun season (or during) to try for a doe or two. Then you really have to take what you can get. I hunt does when it will be the least disruptive of my buck hunting.

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

Sometimes, you just know...