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Picking Does
#7623326
10/03/19 11:53 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 127
polishpreacher
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 127 |
So, this year the folks on my lease have decided we need to make more of an effort to cull out does as we havent taken more than 3 in the last 2 years. What i am curious about is what criteria yall use to decide which doe gets shot? If you prefer to take out the older does, what are signs of an older doe? I usually try to make sure the doe doesnt have a fawn on it still at this point though they are beginning to kick them off.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623353
10/04/19 12:12 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,697
krmitchell
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,697 |
Pick the biggest one out of the group that doesn’t have fawns. And pray you don’t shoot one that puts off twins every year.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623380
10/04/19 12:39 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,114
Flashprism
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,114 |
Agree with KRM based on my reading only about 50 to 60% of does get pregnant or are good mothers. Don't shoot a doe with fawns as she is a good mom and a breeder.
When we do shoot does we shoot single does and or yearlings. A yearling could be a buck but as a doe it is an unknown breeder.
My 2 cents
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623469
10/04/19 02:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 55
DeCurry
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 55 |
As others stated, I usually target those without fawns, though not always. I make it a point to avoid the oldest doe; the reason is that they're usually the lead doe in a group, and their experience and wisdom goes a long way towards keeping the group alive (plus, younger ones just taste better in my experience). Instead, I'll target a younger doe in the group who doesn't have fawns. If you have the opportunity to observe the group, you can pick out who the 2nd in command is (she'll act like she's in charge on occasion, but you'll see the lead doe put her in her place when needed) -- that's the one I usually go after in a group.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623498
10/04/19 02:32 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,833
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,833 |
Kind of like DeCurry, if there’s a group of does, I’ll avoid taking one with fawns. But I will, on occasion, take the lead doe. I need two big ones for the freezer. The oldest grandson will be here tomorrow, and he’s skinny but can eat his body weight in fried venison, so he’ll deplete the remaining stock.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623506
10/04/19 02:40 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,612
lubbockdave
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,612 |
We wait until December to shoot our does...fawns are generally grown up enough by then and not so dependent on their mother. At it's usually "shoot the first doe you see, then the one standing next to her, and the one standing next to her..." until you are out of tags or out of targets!
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623541
10/04/19 03:47 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,012
unclebubba
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,012 |
When shooting does, I pick the first one that gives me a shot opportunity. However, if she has a fawn in tow, she'll get a pass. This one got a pass last night...
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623594
10/04/19 11:48 AM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,351
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,351 |
Which one? The doe that is in front of you. Some make excuses not to shoot does and it can be exhausting.
If you have a choice and have too many does, choose younger ones and you will take more years of production out of the herd. The older ones are likely to die sooner than the younger ones anyway.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623658
10/04/19 01:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,714
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,714 |
Dry does 1st, then single fawn mothers, then twin fawn mothers. We have lots of deer, though, I'm not in a hurry to orphan anybody on opening day. It also depends on the size of the fawn. If the fawns are really large or it's late in the year, I'll pick the biggest doe in the group.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: krmitchell]
#7623690
10/04/19 01:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8,334
Herbie Hancock
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8,334 |
Pick the biggest one out of the group that doesn’t have fawns. And pray you don’t shoot one that puts off twins every year. I also put down the ones that just stare at the blind and blow.
It takes beer to make thirst worthwhile - J. Fred Schmidt
The internet is an I.Q. Test, people post their scores in the comment section.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623696
10/04/19 02:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,608
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,608 |
To me if you are killing does for numbers a doe that is standing there is a good one to shoot.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: Herbie Hancock]
#7623698
10/04/19 02:03 PM
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 788
Ktexas14
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 788 |
Pick the biggest one out of the group that doesn’t have fawns. And pray you don’t shoot one that puts off twins every year. I also put down the ones that just stare at the blind and blow. This had me literally LOL at my desk, people at the office looked at me strangely.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623710
10/04/19 02:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,248
Longhunter
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Posts: 11,248 |
Whack um and Stack um...When you are reducing numbers and getting the ratio in balance there is no right or wrong way. Just watch for nubbins. IMO
Longhunter >>>-------> Make It Count!!!<><
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623719
10/04/19 02:27 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,283
Texas Dan
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Posts: 22,283 |
Shoot yearling does early so that more browse is left for deer that will remain after the season closes. An old doe without a fawn is also a good choice IMO.
However, be patient if you prefer not to shoot a doe with a fawn. I made a quick shot at a doe decades ago only find it had a fawn still in spots afterwards. The poor little thing was still hanging around the next day.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 10/04/19 02:28 PM.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623736
10/04/19 02:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 917
driedmeat
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 917 |
I always first target that one crazy paranoid doe (they usually have a droopy ear as part of their insanity) that always wants to be the first to blow and/or bust me.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: driedmeat]
#7623743
10/04/19 02:54 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,178
HoldPoint
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,178 |
I always first target that one crazy paranoid doe (they usually have a droopy ear as part of their insanity) that always wants to be the first to blow and/or bust me. Lol
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623769
10/04/19 03:20 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,588
deewayne2003
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,588 |
Honestly I try to focus first on the cull bucks as early in the season as possible before they have a chance to breed.
Then I go for the doe.... When it comes down to actually balancing the herd, its generally considered "a doe is a doe" and it doesn't matter if its a yearling or old doe.
Personally.... I intentionally target "Flaggers" - so I just wait for one to start stomping their feet and huffing at me and I generally consider that as a volunteer to fill the freezer.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623781
10/04/19 03:38 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,078
TKandMike
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,078 |
you can look at their bodies and try to age them in a similar pattern to bucks i.e. belly, sway back, brisket, etc. Good luck
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623787
10/04/19 03:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,714
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,714 |
I had an old doe with a fawn come out on some road corn years ago very close to the blind. She gave me the eye a bunch but I was passing hoping for a buck. They ate corn for over 30 minutes with her glaring at me every now and then, and me doing nothing about it. They eventually stroll off into the brush and that old hussy makes a 200 yard semi-circle to get behind me and in the wind. She went to blowing but made the mistake of not running off. After 10 minutes I'd had enough. She was good eating and pulling the trigger was very satisfying.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623813
10/04/19 04:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 228
pine knott
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 228 |
Listening to Dr. Kroll, older does that produce tend to throw females or the bucks they have are not what you want running around.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623816
10/04/19 04:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,030
spg
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,030 |
I try to take all does before the rut to prevent shooting bred does. I try to shoot the paranoid ones first then the does without fawns.
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623856
10/04/19 05:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,846
Greg Z
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,846 |
I always pass on does with fawns as well. I did read that is better to take the younger ones as they are not as good of mother and survival rates of there fawns is lower. They will also tend to bread with less mature bucks.
Greg Ziemer Sewell Lexus 214-597-6006 Life's short... Enjoy the ride!
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: Texas Dan]
#7623892
10/04/19 06:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,452
Dalroo
Veteran Tracker
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Posts: 2,452 |
However, be patient if you prefer not to shoot a doe with a fawn. I made a quick shot at a doe decades ago only find it had a fawn still in spots afterwards. The poor little thing was still hanging around the next day. ^^this^^ - Several years ago, hunting on a place in eastern Oklahoma, I had a group of does/fawns come in, and I waited for a bit to see which did not have fawns. I finally decided on one and shot, only to have TWO fawns come over and bleet around her until I came out of the blind and they trotted off. Even then, they only ran to the edge of some woods, stopped, and stared at me. I am pretty thick skinned, but this one kind of bugs me to this day.
Dalroo Deep in the Heart of Texas How about that Brandon!
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: polishpreacher]
#7623902
10/04/19 06:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154
KWood_TSU
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154 |
Always shoot the weary doe that's blowing. Don't need then ruining every sit in that blind
Amat Victoria Curam - Victory Loves Preparation
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Re: Picking Does
[Re: KWood_TSU]
#7623938
10/04/19 07:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,107
catslayer
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,107 |
Always shoot the weary doe that's blowing. Don't need then ruining every sit in that blind We call that one a volunteer If no volunteer... Shoot one that appears no not have a fawn with her, next is biggest
Sombody smells like fried borritos...
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