Hill Country Does

[TexasAg2002]

I’m on a lease for the first time in the hill country. Hunt/Vanderpool Tx. What is an average size doe for the area? We have to kill a bunch this year for MLD. I’ve seen 20-25 for this weekend and they are all so skinny and small. I’m having a hard time deciding on which ones to shoot. They all look so young.

[Speedgoat]

A 110 pound doe is big.

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[Deerguy]

Shoot the first 20-25 you see. Even though it seems like a lot, it most likely is a small percentage of the population of does overall. Don't waste time trying to differentiate old does versus young does or barren does versus productive does. Just kill does. On the weights, on un-managed properties, I've killed adult does (2.5+) in that area that have field dressed in the upper 40's. Too many deer, just kill a bunch (for several years) and don't try to distinguish.

[88 Bound]

Avg is probably around 80 lbs.

[Redraider]

They will be small if over populated. My opinion would b just kill the amount you need to. I wouldn't look at age. You don't want to take out all the old does. The doe has 50% of the genetics. We were told one time by a biologist to shoot the middle size one. You might get lots of opinions. Did the biologist they surveyed the place give any recommendations?

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[texashunter56]

A lot depends on the ranch location, habitat and past management. When I managed a ranch in Kendall County that had a lot of deer, the first year the does average 52 lbs field dressed weight. We killed 65 does that year.

[S-3 Ranch]

My MLD bio always told us , don't shoot does with spotted fawns, and watch for nubby bucks, and bring extra bullets . So kill every age class doe

[TexasAg2002]

They will be small if over populated. My opinion would b just kill the amount you need to. I wouldn't look at age. You don't want to take out all the old does. The doe has 50% of the genetics. We were told one time by a biologist to shoot the middle size one. You might get lots of opinions. Did the biologist they surveyed the place give any recommendations?

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I’m not sure what the biologist recommends but I know he wants us to shoot 30. I’ll ask.

[mzurovec]

I shot a mature doe in Burnet County on opening weekend that dressed right at 70. She is as big as any doe I've seen on that place.

[Tigers1]

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[the-butcher]

They wont be very big.

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