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Jsmart,Who cares if he shot a doe.We need to kill alot more does the herd is out of whack.It's not an error to shoot does it good management.Do you go off on your son before knowing all the facts too?

So what's better to shoot a mature doe or a 4 Pt?

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quotequote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>During rut the Bucks will be behind Does to warn him in the event of danger. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Wrong! The bucks are behind the does because the are trailing them to breed them.During the rut is about the only time the bucks aren't overly worried about their safety.

Chris,Did you find the first one you shot? If not why not? Are you shooting open sites or a scoped gun?

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> guess I was wrong when I thought it would be like talking to my hunting buddies over the camp fire <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

My buddies would of busted me really good if I came to them with this story.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - Charlie P on 11/25/2002 07:21:27

So what happened to the 1st deer that you gut shot? Did you go and find her? That may be the most important question here.

In Connecticut we get 2 doe tags ie a doe or buck tag and a doe only tag. Many of my friends and I hunt the early seasons for meat so dropping two does at once out of a herd is quite common. Last year my hunting partner dropped a doe and sat on it in sight and 1/2 hour later a buck walked up to to take a sniff Bang hes dead to. In fact taking a doubly is considered good hunting here!!
Chris if you found the first one good . sounds like lots of sweet meet in the fridge. And whats with an implication from someone that it is wasted meat because it was gut shot. Gut shot deer are fine to eat except for a small portion that needs trimming.

One Shot One Kill Striper Phil

Also in Connecticut bow hunters can take 2 does and 2 "any deer" during bow season.

As for my thoughts on the post, well the thought of a wounded animal just lying there not knowing what happened is very unpleasant. We all know this can happen. IMO the worst outcome would have been a gut shot animal that was never found.

I can also relate to his situtation because I had 2 does come in on me two weeks ago while bowhunting. I took the closest one and the 2nd doe circled back. I never had a high precentage shot so I held back. Would I have held back if I thought I missed the first? Probably, but I can't say for certain.

I will be hunting via shotgun in Massachusetts in early September and I got a new Savage 210 slug gun just to make sure I have the most accurate shotgun available so I can minimize wounding shots, but that's just me.

Learn from you mistake and practice.

I am an ethics hound...known in camp as "The Preacher". I hate to see suffering of any animal, but I also know it is in part and parcel part of the spot. To me the only question I had was "Legal" 2 does, same day. But it appears that is not a problem so negate that thought. Personally I always check the site of a shot, even if clean, also if i see a deer drop I go right over to it. (many reasons: nicked nerve can cause temp. paralysis and a lost animal is one) As far as A gut shot, you did the text book right thing, let it freeze up and die...not push it all over the country side. Not only does that increase your odds of finding it, but relates to better table fare for sure. Mistakes happen we learn from them, it makes us better hunters. If we continue to do them and not learn...that is where ethics comes into the mix. Being young, I hardly think anybody can fault you for your actions...I think you did the best thing and that was relax and get in the right frame of mind. Ajitterbug won't produce a good result, but time to relax and reflect will calm the nerves and provide a fresh prespective.

I am betting you learned something from the first shot..be it reaction to the gut shot or maybe don't assume...this is what we all need to do when hunting, KEEP Learning. I really didn't see where people where all over you, they just indicated that you may need some practice with the shooting and nerve thing...which comes and is required of all of us. I have been hunting deer for over 20 years and I still practice a lot at the range to hone my skills..in fact my season is done and I was at the range on sunday to start honing for next year. I am a damn good shot and always have been but I know that I ain't perfect and the more I practice the better I will be prepared to put the crosshairs on that buck or whatever next time the opp is presented. Also if you can't take some tips or pointers...than no your better off not to post. However I would hardly stop visiting here, their are a great number of individuals and opinions that will help you be a better hunter. Just remember it is the internet and we can't see your face, so it will always be different than talking with your pals. However if my pals just said "I did everything right all the time and I rocked", I would question their honesty and value. I am lucky that our group is very frank and we all have the same ethical standards..we are also not affraid of stepping on toes and SUGAR is never present in our camp.

Life is hard you either buck up or get out of the way!

BTW, congrats on your deer and you did do the right thing IMO. Stick around I bet you can get and give some great advice here. I know I have.

Charlie P,

I had not intended to repost on this matter however, you challenged me for a for a response. “Who, cares if he shot a Doe?” If they are in season probably no one certainly not me. Many states limit or have no Doe season at all. By his original posting he stated “I decided.............” Which appeared to mean I’m not waiting for a Buck, I just want to kill something. The tone of the letter reflected a disregard for ethics. My response was that of honest advice not harsh criticisms. Had it been one of my sons I would have said the same thing! Then hugged them and tried to figure out just what went wrong.

I do agree that Chris, did the right thing on posting the letter. It drew a tremendous amount of response and different views. Should Chris, quit the BBS? NO, we have all become fond of him for standing up to his mistakes and want to hear more from him. I don’t feel that he was looking for absolution in his posting. He was hurting, and needed someone to care. Judging by the letters he has many that do care.

Charlie, understand that older people write in a more formal manner and may appear “strong” to the younger set. From the letters that followed I noted a unique difference in the answers and attitudes by generation standards. The older hunters tend follow the writings of Hemmingway, Roark, and O’Connor. The younger set seem to follow the standards of TV program hunters.

Secondly, My sons were taught to hunt by my father. A strong taskmaster who, allowed you only one bullet for the Deer season. When hunting upland game and waterfowl we got only one shell if you missed your season was over. If you hit you got another shell after gutting and salting down the cavity. He did however, allow us to target and skeet shoot year around. My first hunting season, as well as my sons, involved carrying his old Kessler bolt action shotgun with the bolt removed. The second year we were allowed to shoot.

“Wrong” I Could be; but, I know personally that a Stag buck will herd his does and use them for his protection. He will run them across a meadow, opening, and sometimes a ridge before following.

Now, if Chris, isn’t still too mad at me perhaps he would tell us what type of rifle he was using?

Sincerely, John

Here in Georgia you can shoot 10 does and they don't really are if you get them all in one sitting, they just want them gone. I see does running all over the place here, but there isn't anything chasing them. Some areas here it is like the deer don't even rut because there are so many does the bucks don't have to run to get them, just check the ones close by.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

I'm kinda a newbie here, but isn't taking excessive does part of good herd management? I read that a 50/50 ratio of bucks to does is ideal.

jsmart, can you please enlighten me on this generation gap in regard to ethics or standards, you are referring too?

I adhere to a very high standard and ethics with regards to hunting. I honestly feel that my code of conduct is many times higher than the older type hunter you maybe referring too, which when I started was "Brown it's down type mentality". I am not referring to anyone specific on this board, i just think that the generation gap isn't all bad to the sport. I also learned many a trick and tactic from the old and wise, so know digs are intended. Since I am the bright eyed baby at 32 years old, I feel as though you maybe referring to the likes of my age and younger. I guess I really would like to know what you mean by this statement. I agree shot placemnet and knowing how to assess the situation at hand are paramount in hunting. Practice is essential in all areas, never to young or old to learn. I don't think our ideals are that far apart and maybe you weren't referring to me personally. I just would like some more info on your point or which you eluded too. thanks

As to the stag statement " well for whitetails" I believe this is untrue. Many other game they will often babysit their core group until estrus or heat comes...however the mature whitetail buck is looking to procreate as much and often as possible. He will not stay with a doe that isn't close to cycling, he will depart and find one that is and then return to her when the time is near. Whitetail bucks are very much loaners during the breeding phase, they will often run a heard of does to try and see if any are close...only to leave them if that is not the case. At the same point does don't want the bucks around, hence why they often are seen following the does and the does scattering. It is the chase phase and often confussed to be full blown rut. Like humans the females enjoy the tease or pursuit of males. While the males want and if no give they go looking in a different corner. I may be out to lunch on this one, but have never seen a buck run a herd out and then only to stay back and wait for the bang...if she is hot he will be right on her...if close he will be not far behind or maybe late on her trail. The problem lies in the patience to wait for that to happen and we only know he is near (or she is looking) by the stop and look she will give back to that dark corner of the bush.

Again this is my experience only, I haven't heard of a Stag buck in terms of Whitetails. But maybe I just learned something new today!

Have fun and good luck guys/gals.