muzzy chucker

we are thinking about shooting does as early as possible, here's my reasoning. #1.. 4 of us hunt 300 acres, and if we each take out atleast 2 does a piece, when the rut hits, the bucks will have to search more (because of 8 less does, that usually live there whole lives on or very close to there birth gounds most of there entire lives.)#2.. there will be more food with them gone for the young deer in the winter.#3.. taking out the old war horses will hopefully decrease the chance of disease. #4.. it'll hopefully help bring the herd ratio closer because if each of those 8 doe would have had twin fawn, that will be less deer in the next spring, and the crop damage will be less also. what do you guys think? is this is a positive or negative "game plan"? we already have antler restriction to protect young bucks from being killed.

adams

I couldn't agree more. There are definate benefits to thinning the herd and the best way is to harvest mature does. If you're planning on practicing QDM this is one of the most important thing you can do. One property I hunt is over run with does. Another family that hunts these woods will not shoot a doe period. I've counted as many as 13 does in a herd(that's a ton of deer for where I hunt) and these guys just push them back and forth all season but refuse to shoot them. The wait until a little 100lb spike comes by and shoot that for meat. I personally don't get it and I at times get a little pissed when I let small bucks walk only for these guys to shoot them. In the last couple of years I haven't hunted the property much because I personally don not like that mentality. I've posted my 50 acres and I'll practice QDM on my property as I wish.

I know it's beyond my control and the deer they are taking are legal so I have nothing to 8itch about. The kicker is these guy are always complaining that there are no good bucks around. NO $#!^.

dough boy

Muzzy-There is absolutely nothing wrong with shooting does!!!! I couldn't agree more with your reasons. It puts meat in the freezer, and it allows you to concentrate more on the big boys. Does, in my opinion, can be harder to hunt than bucks. The does always have to be on guard, espically if they have fawns with them, so they are extremely edgy all the time.

wideone

I always wonder too on the correct timing for the culling of old does. It is difficult for me to shoot does that still have fawns in tow, even though the fawns should be albe to survive by now. Also, other questions arise. As we all know, the bucks will follow the does when the rut hits. If we shoot the does early, then will the bucks simply look elsewhere for the does. Plus, shooting does early has the potential (maybe) of contaminating an otherwise good area, with tracking etc. Frankly, I have in the past waited until later in the year (December) for doe hunting. Just don't know if its right or not. I will take an early season doe if she busts me on the stand though. They never forget.

wolfen68

The world would be a better place if all hunters hunted this way...unfortunately many hunters lack the care, desire, or understanding of hunting this way. On the other hand, I think the idea is catching on. Good post!

UncleNorby

Obviously you aren't going to pass up a shooter buck just to get your does first.

I would say, shoot the does as they present the opportunity. Nothing wrong with your logic, assuming there are plenty of does left in your 300 acres. Sounds like there are.

You have a little less than 1/2 square mile. How many deer are there per square mile in your area?

rybohunter

Shoot the does early and often. If you are worried about messing up an area, don't hunt your best stands and shoot the does on your fringe stands. People seem to find every excuse in the book not to shoot a doe. I'll pile them things up as long as I have tags, until the prime rut hits, then its buck only for a period of time. If they have little ones, so what, they can fend for themselves by now. As long as your doe populations are really high keep shooting them buggers.

DaveH

Absolutely right on! I follow this "game plan" (pun intended) each year myself. I get some does early to both fill up my freezer and open up both buck tags. Everybody would like to shoot big bucks, but you must practice QDM in order to do it consistently.

Pro-Line

The more does you shoot early allows for the ramaining deer to get that much fatter to get through the winter better.

Justin

Not only is it a good game plan from a management standpoint, but taking a nice healthy doe early in the season kinda helps me get back into the swing of things, so to speak. It gives me just that little bit extra confidence in the ability of my equipment, and the nut behind it for when that big one walks by in November.