Buck vs Doe

[flatcreek]

I'm 76 this month and when I grew up in NJ we could only shoot bucks. As I got older there were option like a doe day to shoot does. I was taught that when you shot a doe you killed 2 deer for next year, witch there is probably some truth to. Wonder what other think about this and in colonial time what did they think or do. Imagine when hungry they did what they needed. To be clear I have shot doe, not many.

 

[LANEY REECE]

I think we need to shoot does,the ratio is so out of whack, but hay i am no expert,just use to be hunter what do i know.

 

[LonestarShootR]

We shoot does as a family here in South Texas. The quality of the meat is just better compared to a smelly buck though the yield much lees meat. Spikes are ok to remove also. I try to take out old barren does 6,7,8 yr olds.

Back in the day I am sure they killed and ate whatever was available.

 

[Rancocas]

I, too, grew up in NJ and began hunting there. I actually took my first deer in PA. My second in NJ.
I hunt for meat, buck or doe taste the same. However, I am reluctant to shoot a doe, specifically because of that procreation factor. We have a long deer season here in TN. I usually hold off, hoping for a buck for about two weeks. After that I'll take whatever shows up.

 

[waarp8nt]

I have never shot a doe, we had a very bad drought several years ago. As a result of the drought many deer got blue tongue disease and died a horrible death. The population was reduced and under the same theory kill a doe kill two deer for next year, I simply let the does pass by. The population is back, and has been back for awhile. I may take a doe this year, may not. I keep the back strap meat and typically have summer sausage made from the rest of the deer, so young bucks don't matter to me. They are plentiful.

I will never shot a doe during late season. A friend of mine, retired Sheriff, shot a doe 2nd late season. That doe had developing fawns inside her, when he seen them, he said he would never hunt late season again.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Does are thick here in north Arkansas. They are road hazards and eat gardens and flowers. They need to be thinned.

 

[Antelope Pete]

Here in Colorado most all deer licenses are by draw only meaning the wildlife people have determined what kill ratio is acceptable. If doe licenses are available I'm thinking they determined it's ok to hunt them and I will if that's what I want to do that year.