• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Would you shoot the first doe?

Heck no. The buck I'm after will be most vulnerable the first day of the season and the end of the season. I'll shoot does in between in spots that I can recover them easily.

But, I've shot does opening day before too. I've also shot legal fawns. It just depends on the circumstances.
 
Loopwing said:
Now I am thinking about spit roasting a deer. It would have to be a rifle head shot though. I don't want to have to explain why the ribs are blown out on one side.
Click to expand...
Yes, a 12 gauge slug right to the top of the head drops em right there and you have everything else nice and in tact. The head isn't anything to look at though. Let's just say.... its an eye popping adventure!!
 
BuffaloBill said:
My brother did that the season before last. He shot the doe with his crossbow and the fawn stayed around long enough for him to reload so he shot the fawn as well.
Click to expand...

Had that one not been a button buck, it would have been 2 dead deer.
 
For me, it comes down to the overall strength of the herd. We had a fairly localized EHD event (like 4 counties) in southern NY last summer. I saw three deer all season. Normally I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a doe but this year I plan to hold off. At least until late season anyways if that buck doesn’t come along first.
 
lawrence said:
Question: archery season here, it’s legal to take a doe. So would you shoot the first doe or hope it pulls in a buck during the rut?
Click to expand...

I have yet to kill a deer in three seasons. I’m lucky to get one chance every year. I’m taking it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Aocskasy said:
For me, it comes down to the overall strength of the herd. We had a fairly localized EHD event (like 4 counties) in southern NY last summer. I saw three deer all season. Normally I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a doe but this year I plan to hold off. At least until late season anyways if that buck doesn’t come along first.
Click to expand...
Why would you not shoot a doe early season before she might be pregnant (pre-rut), but you would shoot a doe late season that probably is pregnant (post rut)? I have never understood this logic.
 
Last edited:
Loopwing said:
Why would you not shoot a doe early season before she might be pregnant (pre-rut), but you would shoot a doe late season that probably is pregnant (post rut)? I have never understood this logic.
Click to expand...
I’ll let her go so long as I have a buck to put in the freezer. If it gets late in the season meat is the priority and the first legal animal I see I’m shooting.
 
It depends upon extraction effort. If I am by myself and deep in an area where I can't take something motorized, then I don't shoot does or small bucks. It isn't worth the effort in rugged terrain. I'll happily quarter a nice 8 in the field and make multiple trips if necessary.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top