when to shoot does

[skeeter]

does it matter when does are shot? early season b4 the rut? during doe/ spike season?

late season hunts don't make sense to me. why have a season to kill does after they have been bred? why not have a doe season b4 deer season open?

[huntindude]

before season their fawns are still very young. now they have had several more months with momma and stand a better chance of survival if she dies

[tvc184]

When you see one.

My private lease biologist said in his opinion earlier in the season is better as it take a mouth out of the food chain. Why have a deer that you are going to kill anyway, eat a lot of food from the range that will better serve the herd in the hard times of winter.

[lab man]

Best time is when they turn broadside.
Doesn't matter what part of the season it is.

[UltraMax]

Because does and mature spikes need to be shot, and the TPWD realizes hunters won't shoot does and spikes as much when there's a chance that big boy may walk out during the general season. That's why there's a late doe and spike only season, because those hunters that wouldn't shoot because of the possibility that big boy would show up now will.

[skeeter]

i understand whenever u get a chance is a good time to kill em. but does it make sense to kill em a week or 2 AFTER the season has closed, knowing theres a good chase the does being shot are pregnant?

[UltraMax]

i understand whenever u get a chance is a good time to kill em. but does it make sense to kill em a week or 2 AFTER the season has closed, knowing theres a good chase the does being shot are pregnant?

I think it all comes down to personal preference and your own feelings on the matter. It doesn't bother me to shoot does late.

A doe is no more pregnant on the last day of the extended season as they are 24 hours after fertilization. You're killing the fetus either way.

If a person was really worried about killing a pregnant doe than they would not kill does during rifle season at all..... Just in case some pre-rut activity happened early.

[TxAg]

i understand whenever u get a chance is a good time to kill em. but does it make sense to kill em a week or 2 AFTER the season has closed, knowing theres a good chase the does being shot are pregnant?

Doesn't matter if they are preggo. If you shoot one early in the season, it doesn't produce a fawn. If you shoot the same doe late in the season, it still doesn't produce a fawn.

[mpotts]

Doesn't matter if they are preggo. If you shoot one early in the season, it doesn't produce a fawn. If you shoot the same doe late in the season, it still doesn't produce a fawn.

^^^ ALL of these are good explanations. shoot them when they present a shot

[ted_kennedys_liver]

Doesn't matter if they are preggo. If you shoot one early in the season, it doesn't produce a fawn. If you shoot the same doe late in the season, it still doesn't produce a fawn.

This pretty much sums it up.

[kumathebear]

All I know is several years ago I took a "late" season doe that had twins. Still bothers me even now in my old age....I know, perhaps weird for some GS, but "it is what it is."

[swgreen]

Early

[skeeter]

All I know is several years ago I took a "late" season doe that had twins. Still bothers me even now in my old age....I know, perhaps weird for some GS, but "it is what it is."

thats my point. shoot one early, u kill one doe. shoot one late, u could be killin three.

[Winman]

The earlier you remove them,does and spikes,the more browse you save for the rest of the herd.

[Tx_Wader]

thats my point. shoot one early, u kill one doe. shoot one late, u could be killin three.

You kill one doe early it can't get pregnant but probably would later in the season so you're still killing two or three deer.

Just kill the doe when you can is what we do.

One caveat...I don't shoot doe during bow season as I want the bait in the woods.