Need thoughts on harvesting yearlings.
#21
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 0
From: Vinton VA
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!
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.
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.
#22
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
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.
#26
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,966
Likes: 0
From: Harford Co Maryland USA
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.
#28
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.
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.

#29
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.
I went to field headquarters and bought the extra zone 8 and 10.
It is legal, as long as you have the permits.




