RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

there' s no reason to shoot a doe with fawns. If your looking for good eating, then take the fawn and leave the doe.Steve

RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

SUCK IT UP!!!!! It' s not fun, I don' t get off on it, but understand and see it for what it is. You are taking the role of a predator, a role not to be taken lightly. I' ve shot does with single fawns, twins, and even triplets. They are animals, albeit beautiful creatures, but animals that need managment for their own good! Waiting for a doe without fawns for me is like waiting for my lucky lotto numbers to hit. If they are female, they are bred, and they have fawns. I respect yours and others human emotions but think you need to dig a little deeper and cowboy up and do your share for proper and sound deer management.

RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

Oh man I must really be a cold blooded hunter. Not only would I shoot the doe, but I would have shot the fawns too. I have done it before while rifle hunting. I guess I am like the mafia. I' ll kill the whole dang family if I have enough tags. Population control at it' s finest. I don' t feel bad about it usually.

I wish more hunters would suck it up and kill some does. It is too easy here in Minnesota. There are way too many deer and the DNR does not force any hunters to shoot the females. It is all optional. Most hunters are looking for that " rack" so they will often leave their tag unfilled rather than shoot a doe. I like the way it is done in some other states where you have to earn a buck tag by killing a doe first.

RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

If the little ones were healthy, I' d arrowed the mom. There big enough to make it on their own. that way some big ol buck won' t be beating them in the head when it comes time to make it with their moma.

RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

Thanks for all the replies. Good to know I' m not the only one that failed the " Ultimate Predator" test. As for shooting fawns, I' m not gonna be the guy that checks in a 30 pound deer. I can just hear my processor now, " You want me to try and process that thang or just feed it to my dog for a snack?" Plus it' s not very economical. 20$ for a tag, 45$ flat rate to process it, 8$ for the broadhead...10 or 15 pounds of meat.

Don' t get me wrong, I' m all for sound management practices. I' ve taken a doe each of the last 3 years and they' ve made good chili. There will be more chances for me to top the freezer off.

On a different note, this board is great. There are a lot of us new bowhunters who on here and a lot more who just read but don' t post. It' s a great place to learn from people who' ve been there and done that.

RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

Soft? YESSSS;) Just kidding DORR:) It is a personal choice and it is neither right or wrong, it' s a choice. I would have shot at least the doe and possibly a fawn too. Don' t start figuring the cost of the meat though or you' ll get sick and probably quit hunting period:D I' d guess somewhere around a hundred dollars a pound by the time you get all your expenses in there;) Do what you are comfortable with. If there are that many deer in the area maybe some of us can come and help you control the herd:D;)

RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

Early in the year I let the does w/fawns walk, but now would would think twice about pulling the trigger[:-]

RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

I too must be part of that heartless bunch, but pass a doe? In fact, my local DNR " official" told me to target does with fawns. That would constitute three kills for deer management! (assuming that the fawns couldn' t make it through the winter) I agree, to each their own. If you hunt for scores, fine. As NorthernMN said, this area is doe rich (total population) to the point that is is going to become unhealthy. I' ve passed some does this fall, but not because of the fawns, but because they were small. This December, she might become dinner. As for what the processor will say...... cut your own. You' ll save money and nobody will complain about the size when it' s on the grill!!;)

RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

I' ve done it... I would do it again... but I respect your opinion.

RE: I couldn' t pull the trigger...
 

I let a doe go that had this year' s baby hanging tight to her side, and when they stopped, the fawn was licking her and the doe reached back and licked the fawn back. I had a beautiful close (bow) shot at the doe, but didn' t take it. Doesn' t bother me to be soft-hearted. I never told anyone until now, though. LOL