Next week is the beginning of gun season in my state and I am taking a first time hunter with me (doing my part to keep the tradition going!). He is really excited and is hell-bent on killing a buck. I have suggested to him that he shoot a doe first since he has never killed anything instead of waiting on something that he may or may not see. What do you guys think.

The problem is we only have really 2 or 3 days to hunt... opening day and Thanksgiving morning for sure but after that, we may not be able to go out again. Do you think he should hammer a doe or what? Thanks!

I think it is really up to him. I personally if I had never harvested a deer would be shooting a doe or buck. Can you only harvest one in your state (buck or doe)? But ultimately he is the one that has to make that call. Does he understand how rare it actually is to see a nice buck,atleast where I hunt it is.

Tom

since he has never taken a deer,explain that if he wait for a buck(with only two days to hunt) he may not get the chance. as scbuch said that is really up to him.
if he get the doe,then maybe he will want to hold out for a real big buck later.
his chose,but you may be able to help hin deside.

I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

Tell him the truth. Does tend to make better eating.

Try to present the pros and cons of both.

Buck pros: Usually a bigger deer, self satisfaction for taking the harder of the two to harvest, chance for a nice trophy to mount.

Buck cons: As a rule, harder to harvest (tag can go unfulfilled).

Doe pros: As a rule easier to harvest, good eatin.

Doe con: No antlers to mount, normally a smaller animal (less meat).

These are just some, I'm sure there are more out there. Remember in life there are two tragedies; 1.) Not meeting your goals and 2.) Meeting your goals (then you have to set new ones).
Let your friend make up his own mind. After years of holding out for a buck, I started to take the occasional doe. I realized I liked hunting DEER, and getting a buck is special, but when I unwrap the freezer paper, the steaks and chops, taste just as good. To each his own.

Either way, good luck. I hope you both have a safe successful hunt.

I agree with the other guys, to tell him about what his chances are of seeing a buck, explain that killing does is a vital part of deer management, and that a doe is something to be proud of too. ( I think when he sees that first deer, he won't have any objections about taking it ). Or, mabey the first deer he sees WILL be a buck and he'll have what he wished for.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

Heck I remember my first hunt<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> I didn't care if I took a Doe or a Buck!

I didn't take either. Your buddy may not even see a thing? So, let him know to enjoy the whole experience and have fun. Also, explain to him that he can take any of the two. Doe or Buck.

I wouldn't deflate him boat by telling him the his chances are slim on a buck, which in some areas it is. But, let this first hunt be a awsome one deer or no deer.

Have him antisipate that either or, he will be pumped to take a deer.

Good luck!

KEEP HUNTING THE GREAT OUTDOORS & GOD ALIVE, PASS IT ON!

I agree with everyone. You need to set expectations, but not deflate his motivation to hunt. At the same time make sure he knows it is ok to start out with a doe or small buck and that everybody has to start somewhere to start the learning process.

If he is hell bent on horns, then tell him that he should be prepared to go home empty if that is the case. Or due as what many guys i took out, hold out for a buck the first day and hammer whatever gets in the way the second day...more often than not they have just hammered what they see first and are tickled pink.

Also let him know about the traditions of a successful harvest and the joy that comes with each animal taken for the table. Even use the antler can't be eatin and tag/track soup ain't all it is cracked up to be. But ultimately he has to decide and you should support him in his goal.

The one thing I will say, is make sure he is on the safety program. It is great to be pumped, but it can also lead to some not so great desicions...so stress the need for safety and that he will need to keep is emotions in check to harvest any deer. It ain't as easy as going bang and the deer drops. That is my many concern with any new hunter, sure I am pumped too but I also know that the responsibility I have when I take to the field. Please make sure he knows this and is on course before you depart!

Good luck and have fun!

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let him go after what he wants, but tell him that you reccomend taking a doe. if you think you will see lots of deer then let him wait the first day or just the first morning for a buck, then reccomend he take the first nice animal that comes along, which is what i do

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass