Shooting Fawns?
#61
Fork Horn
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Guns
Posts: 189
RE: Shooting Fawns?
Most reponsible hunters will take the appropiate shot. A doe with a fawn behind is not it. I have yet to see a fawn tag and am opposed to taking them. If you feel this is the best way to manage the herd and removing fawns ( spotted young ) is necesary in your area, then by all means shoot away. It simply is not in mine. We are stewards, we have a responsibilty to maintain our resources. I have seen the argument about car kills, wolve kills and starvation. None hold water where I am from. Take only legaly sanctioned bucks and does and leave the rest to grow.
#62
RE: Shooting Fawns?
The big doe I shot Thursday was still lactating, but the doe with her was big enough to be considered grown. If I had seen the smaller doe alone, I wouldn't have guessed her to still be nursing.
In Louisiana it is illegal to shoot a spotted fawn, but if it's legal where you are, it's your tag to fill.
In Louisiana it is illegal to shoot a spotted fawn, but if it's legal where you are, it's your tag to fill.
#63
RE: Shooting Fawns?
Just a personal thing, actually the wayI was brought up. I do not shoot fawns nor do I shoot does with fawns. I have no quams with others doing so though.
As far as quality of meat, the best deer on average for me has been dry does. Though I must admit I have ate some very tasty mature bucks as well. The worst wt was actually a yearling doe I shot a number of years ago in early bow season.
I never read all the post so i am sure this has been adressed already but fawns are suppose to have the set skills or ability to survive alone once their spots have turned.
As far as quality of meat, the best deer on average for me has been dry does. Though I must admit I have ate some very tasty mature bucks as well. The worst wt was actually a yearling doe I shot a number of years ago in early bow season.
I never read all the post so i am sure this has been adressed already but fawns are suppose to have the set skills or ability to survive alone once their spots have turned.
#64
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SW Michigan
Posts: 79
RE: Shooting Fawns?
ORIGINAL: jlsherr
Most reponsible hunters will take the appropiate shot. A doe with a fawn behind is not it. I have yet to see a fawn tag and am opposed to taking them. If you feel this is the best way to manage the herd and removing fawns ( spotted young ) is necesary in your area, then by all means shoot away. It simply is not in mine. We are stewards, we have a responsibilty to maintain our resources. I have seen the argument about car kills, wolve kills and starvation. None hold water where I am from. Take only legaly sanctioned bucks and does and leave the rest to grow.
Most reponsible hunters will take the appropiate shot. A doe with a fawn behind is not it. I have yet to see a fawn tag and am opposed to taking them. If you feel this is the best way to manage the herd and removing fawns ( spotted young ) is necesary in your area, then by all means shoot away. It simply is not in mine. We are stewards, we have a responsibilty to maintain our resources. I have seen the argument about car kills, wolve kills and starvation. None hold water where I am from. Take only legaly sanctioned bucks and does and leave the rest to grow.
I’m not sure how I would react to a “spotted fawn” if I saw it in November? The logical thing would be to take it, but there is definitely an emotional cringe factor to doing so.
And just an update: I had a large doe with 2 fawns (button, and doe) with her under my stand Monday. 20 yard shot on the large doe and button buck were available, but I wanted fawn doe! She never gave me a clean shot… so I still don’t have my fawn meat.
#65
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WI
Posts: 338
RE: Shooting Fawns?
I have no qualms about shooting a fawn, but I would never pass up a doe to shoot the fawn. The only times I'll shoota fawn is if it comes through alone, or in a rifle hunting situation where I can't really tell how big the deer is, or ina rifle huntingsituation involving running deerand I didn't have time to be selective.
#66
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SW Michigan
Posts: 79
RE: Shooting Fawns?
ORIGINAL: waiting_for_a_gift
I have no qualms about shooting a fawn, but I would never pass up a doe to shoot the fawn. The only times I'll shoota fawn is if it comes through alone, or in a rifle hunting situation where I can't really tell how big the deer is, or ina rifle huntingsituation involving running deerand I didn't have time to be selective.
I have no qualms about shooting a fawn, but I would never pass up a doe to shoot the fawn. The only times I'll shoota fawn is if it comes through alone, or in a rifle hunting situation where I can't really tell how big the deer is, or ina rifle huntingsituation involving running deerand I didn't have time to be selective.
#67
RE: Shooting Fawns?
ORIGINAL: jlsherr
Not even an issue here in Texas. It is unheard of. If the only way you can " fill your freezer " is to kill fawns then go to the grocery store. This is not 1880 where we hunt to survive. This is 2007 were we hunt for sport. Yes, we enjoy venison, but harvesting subadult deer is detromental to the herd and lends into the hands of PETA. If you can afford a rifle/Bow and the legally required permits then I am sure you are not hunting for survival sustinance. Do not mean to upset or offend just stating what I belive and was raised on.
Not even an issue here in Texas. It is unheard of. If the only way you can " fill your freezer " is to kill fawns then go to the grocery store. This is not 1880 where we hunt to survive. This is 2007 were we hunt for sport. Yes, we enjoy venison, but harvesting subadult deer is detromental to the herd and lends into the hands of PETA. If you can afford a rifle/Bow and the legally required permits then I am sure you are not hunting for survival sustinance. Do not mean to upset or offend just stating what I belive and was raised on.
I beg to differ. I am disabled with disk disease, nerve damage, and possible MS. I have been fighting for Disabilty Social Security for over 3 years. I am not eligible for food stamps because of a pot conviction I got when I was an ignorant teenager 20 years ago. If it was not for hunting, I honestly believe I wouldn't survive. The main source of meat I have in my freezer and I eat almost everyday comes from the deer, squirrels, rabbits, etc. , that I harvest during the winter months. I have been so hungry I have eaten raccoon and possum. I think you are more than a little bit "off base" with your "witty" assumptions!! I am lucky I can still crawl into the woods. You might be surprized what you would do if you where in that position.
chris
#70
RE: Shooting Fawns?
ORIGINAL: jlsherr
Most reponsible hunters will take the appropiate shot. A doe with a fawn behind is not it. I have yet to see a fawn tag and am opposed to taking them. If you feel this is the best way to manage the herd and removing fawns ( spotted young ) is necesary in your area, then by all means shoot away. It simply is not in mine. We are stewards, we have a responsibilty to maintain our resources. I have seen the argument about car kills, wolve kills and starvation. None hold water where I am from. Take only legaly sanctioned bucks and does and leave the rest to grow.
Most reponsible hunters will take the appropiate shot. A doe with a fawn behind is not it. I have yet to see a fawn tag and am opposed to taking them. If you feel this is the best way to manage the herd and removing fawns ( spotted young ) is necesary in your area, then by all means shoot away. It simply is not in mine. We are stewards, we have a responsibilty to maintain our resources. I have seen the argument about car kills, wolve kills and starvation. None hold water where I am from. Take only legaly sanctioned bucks and does and leave the rest to grow.
chris