On opening day, is it better to let a nice size doe go by to see if that big buck is following her, or just take it for the freezer? What has everyone else done, and has it payed off?

Trouserchili<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Well, it depends on a couple of things. If you only have that 1 day to hunt, I would wait on a buck in the morning and if you don't see one... hammer a doe in the afternoon. If you have all week to hunt... be patient, more than likely your buck will stroll on by.

Also, make sure to take out some does during doe season to thin em out a little! My 2 cents.

I take whatever I can get... I actually missed a Doe last year, and got an 8 point Buck in 20-30 minutes.
But he was'nt following the Doe... she came from the top of the Ridge, and he came up from the bottom.

I think it depends on where you hunt. Some states do not have quite the deer density to allow an easy chance to take a doe if you pass a few. Especially on hard hunted public lands. I hunt in MA, and its easy to go multiple days without seeing any deer. Sometimes the does are the only option offered for venison.

I base my decision on the actions of the doe. If she keeps looking back in the direction she came from there could be a buck following her or maybe a fawn. If she seems to be just wandering around I'll usually wait until the very last second and take her.

I think Ballistictip makes a good point. Pay attention to the body language of the doe, in many cases it can give you an indication if something is on her trail or not.

In my experiences in similar situations I have noticed that the doe will move rather ridgidly and will often peek at her back trail. In these situations, I would guess that there is a good possibility that a buck is behind her....maybe 5 seconds, maybe 5 minutes..maybe longer. If she is staring at her back trail and her tail is flickering up and down, but not full-flag-spooked up...then get ready for a shot.

I think if you see a completely relaxed doe, leisurely feeding or moving along and not looking back....I think that is a good indication that she does not have a buck in toe.

Good luck Chris, hope you put some venison in the freezer!


Pat in WV

Springgobbler, some good points, I would also add that if the doe doesnt give any indication that a buck is behind her all that means is she doesnt KNOW of any buck behind her. It may still be coming. I have had 5 bucks trail a doe up to 3 hours after she strolled by.

All good points. If it is cold and you shoot a doe, stay put for awhile. There may be a buck trailing her and he was far enough away not to be spooked.

Since you are in Michigan you may want to add some apples to a shooting lane before you get in the stand.

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All good points. If it is cold and you shoot a doe, stay put for awhile. There may be a buck trailing her and he was far enough away not to be spooked.

Since you are in Michigan you may want to add some apples to a shooting lane before you get in the stand.
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I actually have an apple tree close to my spot, so hopefully I will see something this year.

I would surely wait. several years back i was hunting a tower blind over looking a sendero. after being in my blind for about 30min i noticed movement about 350-400 yards out in front of me. i slowly p/u my binocs. to get a look. after about 30 seconds of watching i noticed she was acting very skidish. at that moment i p/u my .270 and looked down the sendero a second time. after what seemed like eternity, he stepped out. by this time she was approx. 200 yds from my tower and he about 100yds behind her.
the sad part of the story was i never got to make a shot on the awesome buck, but i got a good look at what he was carrying on his head. probably the nicest 12 point (or deer for that matter)i had ever seen, with at least a 20&quot;-22&quot; spread.

my uncle always told me growing up to make sure and focus on whats before you. the story above is a prime example.
good luck, good hunting, be patient.