JGFLHunter

Got a doe this morning. I hunt in St. Augustine Florida how long ago do you think this doe was bred? Every year I shot a doe during archery and the beginning of the season and most does are showing like this. Has happened past few years now. I send every picture and whatever I can to FWC. But I think they could care less. The season needs to change and start a month earlier. We really don't get a good hard rut during deer season because most does have already been bred. Therefore the rut has already occurred. I'm really aggravated with FWC.

Oldtimr

By the time our rifle season rolls around in PA most of the doe shot are carrying embryos. Part of the reason for a doe season is to prevent too many fawns from being born in the spring as a population control. Most hunters don't notice the embryos when they gut the deer. I have shot several big mature doe that were still lactating in November after Thanksgiving. Better to kill a doe while pregnant than to kill ones that are still nursing. I am sure the lactating doe I killed were no longer nursing but simply had not gone dry yet.

flags

Most rifle season happen after the rut so most females of big game species will have been bred.