Purposefully hunting fawns?
11-28-2011, 04:52 AM
#11
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 36
Thank you so much for the opinions, everyone 
And yes, about the trophy buck, *I* personally do not care. I actually had a fairly decent opportunity to shoot at a large 4-pt buck (he didn't have many points, but his antlers were wiiiide, and he was a chunk himself), but I chose not to. Partly because I wasn't 100% confident in the shot, but also, I looked at that big ol' deer and couldn't imagine being able to use the meat. I couldn't care less if it has antlers or not. I'm sure I would have had the same reaction if I had been staring at a massive trophy buck. I am hunting purely for the experience and for the meat. I had a blast during the whole process, and I knew exactly how much meat I needed. For me to shoot a trophy buck would almost be nonsensical because I wasn't at all after a trophy and I'd be so afraid the meat would go to waste.
As for shooting somebody else's trophy, I can absolutely understand that concern. While a trophy wasn't high on my list, I know it is for others. I told my "guide" (actually my best friend's husband) that if we got a good shot at a trophy buck, I'd absolutely want him to take it instead of me even if that was my only chance at a deer all season. My fawn was definitely a doe fawn, so I wasn't robbing the area of a potential buck anyways. She could have been a button buck, but I still don't think I would have felt too terrible about it. In our area, the deer population is pretty crazy. It was an easy winter last year, a long summer and warm fall, and as a result, there are zillions of fawns. This year's crop of fawns could stand to lose one, even if it had been a button buck. And it was all absolutely legal.
I guess I'm especially interested in the fawn or no fawn debate because I believe I will go after a fawn again. Taking fawns just makes the most sense for my situation. But if there's a moral/ethical aspect that I'm overlooking or a glitch in the game management plan of taking fawns, I'd be more than happy to reevaluate
Just a side note...I have a delicious fawn roast that will be slow cooking today in onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic and even an apple slice for some extra flavor. Can't wait for dinner tonight!
And yes, about the trophy buck, *I* personally do not care. I actually had a fairly decent opportunity to shoot at a large 4-pt buck (he didn't have many points, but his antlers were wiiiide, and he was a chunk himself), but I chose not to. Partly because I wasn't 100% confident in the shot, but also, I looked at that big ol' deer and couldn't imagine being able to use the meat. I couldn't care less if it has antlers or not. I'm sure I would have had the same reaction if I had been staring at a massive trophy buck. I am hunting purely for the experience and for the meat. I had a blast during the whole process, and I knew exactly how much meat I needed. For me to shoot a trophy buck would almost be nonsensical because I wasn't at all after a trophy and I'd be so afraid the meat would go to waste.
As for shooting somebody else's trophy, I can absolutely understand that concern. While a trophy wasn't high on my list, I know it is for others. I told my "guide" (actually my best friend's husband) that if we got a good shot at a trophy buck, I'd absolutely want him to take it instead of me even if that was my only chance at a deer all season. My fawn was definitely a doe fawn, so I wasn't robbing the area of a potential buck anyways. She could have been a button buck, but I still don't think I would have felt too terrible about it. In our area, the deer population is pretty crazy. It was an easy winter last year, a long summer and warm fall, and as a result, there are zillions of fawns. This year's crop of fawns could stand to lose one, even if it had been a button buck. And it was all absolutely legal.
I guess I'm especially interested in the fawn or no fawn debate because I believe I will go after a fawn again. Taking fawns just makes the most sense for my situation. But if there's a moral/ethical aspect that I'm overlooking or a glitch in the game management plan of taking fawns, I'd be more than happy to reevaluate
Just a side note...I have a delicious fawn roast that will be slow cooking today in onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic and even an apple slice for some extra flavor. Can't wait for dinner tonight!
11-28-2011, 05:41 AM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,925
Shoot what makes you happy as long as its legal.Your not hunting for anyone but yourself.Everyones situations different.
As far as shooting a "future trophy" goes I wouldnt worry about it. I like to try and wait for a good buck myself but thats mostly to extend my time in the field as I only get one tag and most years would be done early if I shot the first deer that came in.I never let a deer walk cuz it might be a shooter 4 years from now, odds are it wont be alive regardless 4 years from now.I let em walk cuz I dont feel like shooting them on that particuliar day and for no other reason.Towards the end of season I may even shoot a deer I have let walk numberous times if my freezers still empty.You pay the same price for your tag as a trophy hunter does, your entitled to shoot whatever you want.
As far as shooting a "future trophy" goes I wouldnt worry about it. I like to try and wait for a good buck myself but thats mostly to extend my time in the field as I only get one tag and most years would be done early if I shot the first deer that came in.I never let a deer walk cuz it might be a shooter 4 years from now, odds are it wont be alive regardless 4 years from now.I let em walk cuz I dont feel like shooting them on that particuliar day and for no other reason.Towards the end of season I may even shoot a deer I have let walk numberous times if my freezers still empty.You pay the same price for your tag as a trophy hunter does, your entitled to shoot whatever you want.
11-28-2011, 07:48 AM
#15
Typical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Fulton county,IL
Posts: 617
I have shot fawns by accident its not something I like to do,I prefer a mature deer a 90 pound fawn will have 25-30 pounds of meat to me that is a waste of a tag and not even worth going to the woods for, it would most likely be cheaper on you to order your meat online if you are wanting such a small amount,I have 5 deer in my freezer now and hope to end the season with 6 deer in the freezer I wont eat any other type of meat all year.I also make 25 pounds of summer sausage every 3 months or so.
11-28-2011, 10:09 AM
#16
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Midlo, Va
Posts: 561
You did right for your needs and wants. As you say it was a good human kill and you should not be embarrassed by it in any way. don't worry about those who insist on the "antler porn" that is invading our sport more and more each year. Some jsut forget that one of the main reason hunting is allowed in each state is DEER MANAGEMENT. Shooting a fawn or a huge buck is a hunter choice that only that hunter can make at that time. Hope you continue to have good luck in your future hunting endevours.
11-28-2011, 11:35 AM
#18
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Virginia / West Virginia
Posts: 4,906
No issue here either. I've shot my share of fawns over the years. Hunting is 100% a personal thing, you did what you needed to do. Heck, I don't even know you...and I'm proud of your decision. I wish more hunters had the maturity you seem to show, even as a newer hunter. Great job!
You may want to get a trophy some day...in fact I bet you will as you progress. I wouldn't write that off just yet...you can always give someone the meat you don't use
My brother in law purposely shoots fawns about 90% of the time. He likes the small tender morsel, and easy drag. He shot one last week.
LOL, this is BS. In lots of area's around the country, a full size doe weighs 90lbs. I guess all those folks shouldn't hunt.
Don't listen to this type of stuff....shoot what you want and are happy with, not what someone else thinks is right for you. Congrats again, great job!
You may want to get a trophy some day...in fact I bet you will as you progress. I wouldn't write that off just yet...you can always give someone the meat you don't use
My brother in law purposely shoots fawns about 90% of the time. He likes the small tender morsel, and easy drag. He shot one last week.
a 90 pound fawn will have 25-30 pounds of meat to me that is a waste of a tag and not even worth going to the woods for, it would most likely be cheaper on you to order your meat online if you are wanting such a small amount
Don't listen to this type of stuff....shoot what you want and are happy with, not what someone else thinks is right for you. Congrats again, great job!
11-28-2011, 03:37 PM
#19
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 452
LOL, this is BS. In lots of area's around the country, a full size doe weighs 90lbs. I guess all those folks shouldn't hunt.
Don't listen to this type of stuff....shoot what you want and are happy with, not what someone else thinks is right for you. Congrats again, great job!
I think you missed the part where he said "... a 90 pound fawn will have 25-30 pounds of meat TO ME that is a waste of a tag and not even worth going to the woods for..."
In Illinois and Iowa, its the norm for fawns to weigh close to 90lbs, whereas in the rest of the country it may be a two year old to weigh near that. We constantly take does that weigh upwards of 150 and 160lbs. He simply stated that it was not cost effective per pound of meat for him to shoot anything that small when taking in account the price of the tag and other expenses.
Congrats Prairienights on taking a deer. That in itself is an accomplishment in my eyes, regardless of size.
11-28-2011, 03:53 PM
#20
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 36
Thanks again so much for the input One thing I'm learning to love about the sport of hunting (even as a newbie) is the pride that hunters have of their sport.
I'm not sure how much my fawn weighed, but I did get 28lbs of meat off of her (that's after processing, so maybe a few ounces of packaging material). That is a LOT of meat for little me. Around here, there are so many deer and so many hunters and so much venison, that it's harder than you'd think to give it away. I wanted just enough meat for me, and I think 28lbs of venison is just right.
She did not have spots, and she was a fat n' sassy little fawn. I have a few pictures (like I said, I'm beaming as if she were a trophy buck), but I'm having some tech difficulties with uploading them. By no means was she an itty bitty baby though. While I didn't want a lot of meat, I wouldn't have gone to the opposite extreme either. I wouldn't have taken such a small deer that the life would have been wasted for a ridiculously tiny amount of meat.
One thing I'm learning to love about the sport of hunting (even as a newbie) is the pride that hunters have of their sport. I'm not sure how much my fawn weighed, but I did get 28lbs of meat off of her (that's after processing, so maybe a few ounces of packaging material). That is a LOT of meat for little me. Around here, there are so many deer and so many hunters and so much venison, that it's harder than you'd think to give it away. I wanted just enough meat for me, and I think 28lbs of venison is just right.
She did not have spots, and she was a fat n' sassy little fawn. I have a few pictures (like I said, I'm beaming as if she were a trophy buck), but I'm having some tech difficulties with uploading them. By no means was she an itty bitty baby though. While I didn't want a lot of meat, I wouldn't have gone to the opposite extreme either. I wouldn't have taken such a small deer that the life would have been wasted for a ridiculously tiny amount of meat.
