RE: Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
 

Nothing wrong with shooting any legal deer, be it yearling or mature buck. Any deer with a bow is an acomplishment. Yes I shoot yearlings, they have the most tender and flavorful meat, and are easier to drag!:D I do feel a bit " funny" when checking them in, but in the natural order of things the young and weak go first. It' s a personal choice, but I don' t have any problems at all.

RE: Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
 

As long as they don' t have spots, I' d do it! They' re a whole lot easier to " drag" out of the woods, and they sure do taste good too. I think taking yearling does is just as important as taking mature does, in the management aspect of it.

RE: Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
 

If they don' t have horns or spots and you have the tags, take em and enjoy! Nothing wrong with it at all.

RE: Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
 

" THUMP" !

RE: Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
 

I couldn' t do it. Throw rocks at them or something. Just chase them into the neighbors yard.

RE: Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
 

I try to hold out for deer that weigh 90+ lbs DRESSED--to fill my doe tags. Fortunately, my does this year all dressed well in excess of that personal minimum. However, if I were in your situation, I would go ahead and take ' em if you have the tags and don' t mind an easy drag and tasty, tender meat.

RE: Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
 

Hey DAVE H..... good to see you. I hadn' t noticed you posting lately.

RE: Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
 

Thanks for everyone' s input. I appreciate the insight. I' m still on the fence somewhat but at least I know how some other' s feel about it. I remember when it was all about pounds and points instead of quality deer management.

I just want to clarify a few things. I only have one anterless tag so I would only be taking one but I' m pretty sure with the new changes you can have two tags and take two does in one day in MA. If you send in and get one with your license you can still buy one over the counter if they are available in that zone.

As far as the yearling -vs- fawn part they are yearlings, they are just small. They have been kicking around all year and have just chosen now to start eating everything in sight. There are fawns that come in too but I don' t think they have quite learned how tasty everything is yet. :D

RE: Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
 

I have 2 doe permits for zone8 and 1 for zone10, i think zones 10,and 11 still have permits you can buy for.
I went to field headquarters and bought the extra zone 8 and 10.
It is legal, as long as you have the permits.