i don't know if it really matters , last season for examle i had just shot a doe and about 10 minutes later an 8 point walked up the same trail and did the same thing ( die )

shoot her......unless its during the rut then hold out for the buck unless your freezer is empty

I have one goal in mind and that's huge. Does can be shot 100% of the time in my places. I won't shoot one unless it's late in the season or it's a doe only spot meaning the only bucks that will show up are hit or miss. I will not shoot in a place that I want to shoot a buck until after the rut. I don't believe it screws up too much but I want the least amount of preasure when hunting the big one.

When I'm hunting bucks... the does all walk. IF I know there's a buck there for sure I want, I don't over hunt or bloody the place up. Yes I know you can kill more than one deer in a stand... but we all know every trip in alerts more and more deer. I just like to error on the side of caution.

Last year we took over 60 does, we had no problem hunting/finding bucks. If your only shooting bucks and not taking does, then your asking for trouble.

In the early season I don't think it makes a differance. Even in early season I usually only shoot a single lone doe. If I shoot one in group you difinetly give your spot up. Any time after the second week in October I never shoot does. You just plain see more bucks that way! Passed up 24 bucks last year and half came after a doe or smaller buck. They weren't always right behind...sometimes 20 yards but very often it was 50 yards or even 5 minutes behind.

GoodLuck!