Spitfire
06-21-2005, 08:34 AM
It all came back to me as I watched my grandson play a shooting gallery game where both bucks and does were present to be shot. My grandson made several good shots on does, and a youngster watching him began to berate him for killing a doe.
http://www.hunting.net/articles/images/doe.png
I was surprised that a youngster of six or so years old would be so set in his ways as to scorn my seven year old grandson for killing a doe. Obviously someone has influenced this future hunter’s opinion and taught him that doe are not all right to kill.
I have killed a great many deer in my time as a deer hunter, and I can truthfully say some of my most exciting hunts have be the result of shooting does. A smart mature doe can be every bit of a challenge as a buck at times. After all who do you think teaches the younger deer all the tricks and responses to evade outsiders? The does teach the little ones to be weary and grow up to be big bucks and very well educated does.
I wish I had a dollar for every time a smart and alert doe has busted me. I had one old gal that I hunted in particular and had promised if I could kill her I was going to have her head mounted and put up on the wall with my trophy bucks. She was smart, adaptable and knew every trick in the book. Long story short I was never able to kill that doe. She was huge and seemed to always know exactly what yardage and where to go to stay out of range for my bow or gun. For all I know she is still out there. I like to think of her as an excellent doe to produce great offspring by mating with a good buck in the area. Because of her size and intelligence she should throw some great fawns and potential great deer. In that respect I am glad I was never able to take the old girl. Though there were times I really disliked her for always outsmarting me or leading deer away from my stand.
http://www.hunting.net/articles/images/doe2aaa.png
I for one am proud of every deer that I have ever shot be it doe, buck, or yearling. I enjoy the fresh healthy meat from the animals and a good doe or yearling will produce great table fare. This is not to say a buck won’t provide the same things however. I hear so many saying they do not want a buck to eat but personally I have never shot a buck that was not good table fare. Preparation of the animal quickly after the kill is a key to getting good tasting venison.
We know now that killing does is a good management practice as well as a means to keep the herd to a perfect buck to doe ratio. This is good for the herd and keeps it healthy and strong.
Some tactics that work on does is to ambush them coming and going to food sources. Sometimes a bleat call with draw them in during early season and I have actually called them to within shooting distance with a regular grunt call.
All in all never hang your head in shame at taking a doe. All deer are trophies and a hunter never needs to apologize for taking a doe or even a yearling. The meat is great off of these animals and the hunt can be most challenging. Does are fair game and as such should be regarded as an animal well worth the effort to hunt.
http://www.hunting.net/articles/images/doe.png
I was surprised that a youngster of six or so years old would be so set in his ways as to scorn my seven year old grandson for killing a doe. Obviously someone has influenced this future hunter’s opinion and taught him that doe are not all right to kill.
I have killed a great many deer in my time as a deer hunter, and I can truthfully say some of my most exciting hunts have be the result of shooting does. A smart mature doe can be every bit of a challenge as a buck at times. After all who do you think teaches the younger deer all the tricks and responses to evade outsiders? The does teach the little ones to be weary and grow up to be big bucks and very well educated does.
I wish I had a dollar for every time a smart and alert doe has busted me. I had one old gal that I hunted in particular and had promised if I could kill her I was going to have her head mounted and put up on the wall with my trophy bucks. She was smart, adaptable and knew every trick in the book. Long story short I was never able to kill that doe. She was huge and seemed to always know exactly what yardage and where to go to stay out of range for my bow or gun. For all I know she is still out there. I like to think of her as an excellent doe to produce great offspring by mating with a good buck in the area. Because of her size and intelligence she should throw some great fawns and potential great deer. In that respect I am glad I was never able to take the old girl. Though there were times I really disliked her for always outsmarting me or leading deer away from my stand.
http://www.hunting.net/articles/images/doe2aaa.png
I for one am proud of every deer that I have ever shot be it doe, buck, or yearling. I enjoy the fresh healthy meat from the animals and a good doe or yearling will produce great table fare. This is not to say a buck won’t provide the same things however. I hear so many saying they do not want a buck to eat but personally I have never shot a buck that was not good table fare. Preparation of the animal quickly after the kill is a key to getting good tasting venison.
We know now that killing does is a good management practice as well as a means to keep the herd to a perfect buck to doe ratio. This is good for the herd and keeps it healthy and strong.
Some tactics that work on does is to ambush them coming and going to food sources. Sometimes a bleat call with draw them in during early season and I have actually called them to within shooting distance with a regular grunt call.
All in all never hang your head in shame at taking a doe. All deer are trophies and a hunter never needs to apologize for taking a doe or even a yearling. The meat is great off of these animals and the hunt can be most challenging. Does are fair game and as such should be regarded as an animal well worth the effort to hunt.