Shooting Fawns??
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Norwalk, Ohio
Posts: 4,443
RE: Shooting Fawns??
ORIGINAL: brushbustin
Duh!!Every deer has a 50% chance of making it through the winter,either they do,or they don't..
Duh!!Every deer has a 50% chance of making it through the winter,either they do,or they don't..
#13
RE: Shooting Fawns??
50% of the fawns could be mature bucks some day.
I say leave the veal alone, unless it's the last hour of hunting and you want some meat!
But the last 1/2 hour is the best, so you could screw up your chance for the big one???!!!
So many choices
I say leave the veal alone, unless it's the last hour of hunting and you want some meat!
But the last 1/2 hour is the best, so you could screw up your chance for the big one???!!!
So many choices
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,476
RE: Shooting Fawns??
For me shooting or not shooting immature deer is more about how much venison I get for the effort. $ per lb. it's more expensive to take a little oneand I prefer to take a very large farm doe if possible... but then again the little ones are so tender!
I've taken a couple really little ones in my years, but it was my last day to hunt and the only good shot I'd been presented with for the time period I'd been out....sure was tender and light colored flesh. Very mild. And a pleasure to drag! (actually just folded it twice and put it in my day-bag)
JK
I've taken a couple really little ones in my years, but it was my last day to hunt and the only good shot I'd been presented with for the time period I'd been out....sure was tender and light colored flesh. Very mild. And a pleasure to drag! (actually just folded it twice and put it in my day-bag)
JK
#16
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 234
RE: Shooting Fawns??
Actually, a deer will make it, or not make it, 100% of the time. (% live + % dead = 100%)
In Southern Iowa, where I hunt, winter weather related mortality is not a significant factor. Way more than 90% probably survive the average winter. Fawns without spots do not have much trouble. Fawns with spot have more trouble but may survive.
I'll say it again, I shoot fawns. I expect those hunting with me to shoot antlerless deer also. The state, and the land owner (my cousin) both want numbers reduced. Doe tags are cheap, and party hunting is legal, so this does not keep anyone in my party from shooting a trophy if given the chance. I am the one in my party who is responsible to my cousin. I do prefer that small bucks and buttons be given a pass but I do not worry too much about buttons.
I have a bit of a problem with those who will not shoot a fawn IF THEY HUNT IN AN AREA THAT HAS A SURPLUS OF DEER. Who can explain this Bambi loving attitude to me. Is a fawn not a deer? If you can only get one tag, that is one thing, but c'mon, meat is meat, and fawn meat is the best.
I was buying some snacks to carry in the field and had a Qwik Trip clerk ask me, "You wouldn't shoot Bambi would you?" I answered, "I would shoot Bambi AND Bambi's mother and little sister too."
I would really like to know why some of you will not shoot fawns. There are some good reasons but "I would never shoot a fawn." makes you sound like a card carrying PETA lurker who is sand bagging us.
Just think, if you shoot a fawn, there is a 100% chance that it will not be winter kill.
Bob
#19
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Moravia NY USA
Posts: 2,164
RE: Shooting Fawns??
And an equally good chance of being a buck someday.
Leave the fawns alone
Where I hunt, the herd needs thinning. Any doe from 6 months to ......... that gives me an opportunity is going to be taken.
Steve