Where I hunt it's unlimited does, so I take 4 or 5 a season whenever they present themselves without there being a chance of spooking a buck. Some stands I'll never shoot a doe, but if I don't plan to be back there that year, I'll shoot a doe late in the morning when I'm ready to get down. I'm focused on bucks most of the time, but every now and then, maybe a couple times a year, I'll go where I know I can see a doe, just to have some action, and take a shot.
To each his own.

I am a full fledged "meat hunter". I will shoot the first big mature doe that walks by my stand at first light on opening day. Last season I shot 2 does first day in the evening. I pass on little bucks unless they are injured as I can get a lot more meat for my family off a nice 130-170 pound doe than the tiny 85-100 pound yearling buck. I hunt in areas with large numbers of does. I chose these stands for the fast action, and to try to do my part in reducing the herd. Over the past few years I have killed 35 deer and out of them 5 were bucks.

When bow season starts in Sept. I will shoot a doe first if I get the chance. It gives me meat in the freezer and it also gives me the confidence I need when I get a shot at a nice buck. BUT if that nice buck comes along first, I will not hesitate to take him first. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

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Ive heard quite a bit about how either buck or doe they are both meat. what do you guys think about this?
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i would take either. depends on how much of the season is left. if i see a little buck and a fat doe the 3 or 4 day into the season i won't shoot em. but if i see a fat doe in like the last 2 or 3 days i would take her. But i would let a little buck walk

I pass almost all does and all small bucks. If a Buck doesn't have a rack worthy of the wall it isn't considered. I've probably let over 50 pass the past couple of years.


Sag.

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I believe that waiting for the big buck is worth the wait. I had passed up buck for years to wait for the big one to show up and only shot the big doe during that time period. I would definately shoot big doe and wait for the big one to come along eventually.

Next year during bow I'll probably shoot first deer I have a shot at because it will be my first season with a bow. During gun, the first weekend I might pass up a small buck or small doe but I might not because I have only killed one deer.