Would you shoot the deer?

[native_texan]

Obvioulsly, the county rules, nutritional conditions, and water, the sizes of the herds, and the make-up of the herds may determine what excatly one might do. But if this scenario is in the perfect world, and just for this scenario ...

I would shoot the doe to help keep the herd balanced. Most fawns lose their spots by late August or early September and are pretty much self sufficient by the opening or middle of bow season. Their defensive skills (running away at the sight of humans are very well developed by now. They are eating forbs and browse aplenty. I have seen mommas kicking their fawns away from them when the fawn is trying to suckle her.

The bucks have not bred the does yet even though in my neck of the woods, they are exibiting some rutting behavior (scrapes, rubs, "licking branches", running does (that are not receptive), etc. Within a healthy herd, the young fawn-does will be ready to breed next year. If the herd is healthy, the genes to "drop" healthy fawns are already there. We should also concentrate on taking out the spikes too ... but that's a whole other thread and discussion. Our wildlife management association encourages landowner-members to keep the herd balanced. Statistics show the balance to be approximately 2.2 does to every buck. While not perfect (and is it ever?), the ratios so far look good. Hence, we should harvest our quota of does (your license tags) during bow season.

Obviously, there may be an exception. If the doe is obvioulsly still suckling the fawn, let them walk.

[native_texan]

We are way over populated and have a high buck to doe ratio, so I would shoot the doe. I especially shoot does with buck fawns because they are imprinted on the area and will stay around. A doe will chase off her yearling buck fawns when she has her next fawns, and I want to keep as many bucks as I can on my property. On a good year most does will have twins and VERY few does are baron (don't breed), so why not shoot one with fawns.

x2 ... Good point about the buck fawns.

[30-30]

We are way over populated and have a high buck to doe ratio, so I would shoot the doe. I especially shoot does with buck fawns because they are imprinted on the area and will stay around. A doe will chase off her yearling buck fawns when she has her next fawns, and I want to keep as many bucks as I can on my property. On a good year most does will have twins and VERY few does are baron (don't breed), so why not shoot one with fawns.

A TPWD biologist at the Buckskin Brigade camp told us that this is a myth, don't remember how it was disproved though.

[Mike D]

I would shoot the doe with no problem. By this time the fawns are able to take care of themselves. We are on a pretty strict management plan and have to kill quite a few does. If we had to wait for only does without fawns, we would never be able to kill a doe. Some of you guys are softies!

Yep, what he said.

I have no problem shooting does, period.

[muley4x4]

I pass!

[txsteele]

It's just a personal thing with me. I wont shoot any doe that has a little one with her. I did it years ago and had the little one just stand over her mom and just make the most heart breaking crys. Since then, all does with young ones get a pass.......Like was said earlier, I really enjoy watching the interaction between them.

THIS^^^^^^ I had the same thing happen and man was that tough

[Harvey]

On our MLDP ranch we harvest doe in all age classes except for fawns. We like to harvest our doe between mid-late October and mid-November when they should be weaning off fawns but before they get bred in the mid-late November rut.
I do have a hard time shooting a doe off its fawn, but will if the fawn is out of spots, eating corn and appears to be healthy and in shape to fend for itself.
When your managing your range to keep a balanced herd at or below carrying capacity, you cant just shoot the old doe. The harvest should be spread amongst all age classes so you don't chance wiping out an entire age class. If you're only shooting the old doe, you likely wont be able to shoot enough doe to get the herd in check.

[HOGSTICKER199]

i got a pic of a doe and fawn on game camera i think i'd let momma walk

[Ryno]

I pass 100% of the time. I think you need to know what you have on your place. You should have some older doe that you can take that are no longer productive, which means you have to hunt doe as well. Put your cameras up and/or sit a little before the season to see what you have.

Does depend on the size of the place as well. High fence does not count. Areas where there are very large ranches/leases taking enough doe can a chore, so you may not be able to be as selective. I believe in keeping the doe around that are resident does, meaning you see them repetitively and they live on your place. My philosophy is if you have does you will have bucks during rut.

Regardless if it is a doe or buck, I want to try and take the right animal.

My $0.02.

[theboydoutdoors]

I'd take a pass on the does with young un's , I might even educate them a bit by flingin a blunt at em or just letting my presence be known.