Shooting Fawns
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1

Just wondering what everyones opinion is on shooting fawns. And from a herd management stand point what is the difference if you shoot the doe or a fawn. My opinion is that if you dont shoot the doe she will have two more fawns next year. If you shoot the doe the buck fawn will be a 1.5 year old next year and the doe fawn could possibly have fawns next year. I just dont see a difference from the management standpoint if you shoot the doe or the fawn.
Last edited by hrancher013; 11-25-2012 at 02:13 PM.
#2

You just opened a can of worms. Myself I will shoot a fawn with no worries. I did it earlier this week, she weighed 57lbs dressed. IMO I dont see anything wrong with it. I was ridiculed on another site for shooting that fawn, stating quote "I can't believe a grown man would shoot a fawn".
I also think that shooting the fawn instead of the doe has advantages as the doe could possibly produce twins or triplets the following spring.
I also think that shooting the fawn instead of the doe has advantages as the doe could possibly produce twins or triplets the following spring.
#3
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 49

In my opinion if you take the doe instead of the fawn you are sure not to shoot the button bucks. Both fawns could be bucks, I have seen triplets as three pointers once, that was very cool and rare I'm sure.
That's just my opinion though
That's just my opinion though
#6

Shooting fawns = yum yum. Shoot the fawns, not the momma. If momma is doing well and producing twins or trips, don't take her out. If you shoot the momma, the fawns have less time to learn from her and are more likely to get taken out anyway.
#8
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Great Mills, MD
Posts: 204

I see nothing wrong with shooting fawns, but for me personally I won't do it. Even though it would be much easier to drag a fawn out of the woods than dragging a mature deer. But I hunt on public hunting ground 1/2-mile in the woods. And if I'm going through all that work, I want to put as much deer meat in the freezer as I can.
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 222

fawns......... well.
I have shot small does which we call skips around here. Meaning you usuallly skip shooting.BUT sometimes it happens. I can say I GENERALLY won't shot them if they are with the mother or another deer. If it is by itself.... still depends on what time of the year/season.
SPOTS.....nah Get more meat from a Big MAC burger.
If it is hurt / limping.....gotta rethink it.
I have shot small does which we call skips around here. Meaning you usuallly skip shooting.BUT sometimes it happens. I can say I GENERALLY won't shot them if they are with the mother or another deer. If it is by itself.... still depends on what time of the year/season.
SPOTS.....nah Get more meat from a Big MAC burger.
If it is hurt / limping.....gotta rethink it.
#10

I personally hunt for meat and don't have a prob with shooting a doe fawn. It kinda depends on how many deer we have in our area. If the deer pop is low, I won't shoot a doe as she will add to the population and fawns have a harder time surviving the winter. Just my opinion!
