Shooting Fawns??
#5

ORIGINAL: wis_rifle_hunter
It said that the fawns have a 50% chance of making it through the winter.
It said that the fawns have a 50% chance of making it through the winter.
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 234

It depends on the situation where you hunt. Where I hunt, South central Iowa, there is a surplus of deer and excellent habitat. The deer are considered to be over populated. Roughly half of the deer in the fall are fawns. I expect them to be shot and I do not hesitate. If it looks like a button I would let it go but I don't worry about it too much.
For every buck you shoot, you are removing one deer from next year's herd.
For every doe fawn you shoot, you are removing two deer from next year's herd and the maximum number from future years.
For every adult doe, you are removing three deer from next year's herd and ending her productivity early, affecting future years.
If your goal is to reduce the herd population, then you need to shoot fawns and does, fawns affecting future years the most and adult does affecting the next season the most.
Fawns taste good too.
Bob
For every buck you shoot, you are removing one deer from next year's herd.
For every doe fawn you shoot, you are removing two deer from next year's herd and the maximum number from future years.
For every adult doe, you are removing three deer from next year's herd and ending her productivity early, affecting future years.
If your goal is to reduce the herd population, then you need to shoot fawns and does, fawns affecting future years the most and adult does affecting the next season the most.
Fawns taste good too.
Bob
#8

I have no problem shooting fawn does. And yes I can tell the difference between fawn doe and button buck. And I've never felt bad aboutshooting fawn doesbecause I am capable of preying on older deer if I choose. Its a matter of convenient transportation of game out of woods and boy are they tender.