Should I let the does with fawns walk a while longer? I have several doe with fawns still hanging around them. Just want to make the right call.

We only have a month to shoot does before gun season and MLD requirements begin.

Thanks!

Some do some don't. If they look like yearlings then they will be fine without momma but if they still have spots I would not do it.

Took my Daughter out yesterday. She made it a point to tell me, if they have young ones, don't shoot. To each his own I guess.

I wouldn't wait by now they'll make it

This...the only exception I'd make is if the fawn still had spots.

If the spots are gone let the arrow fly.

Thanks! I have a doe that came out this AM with a fawn. The doe look a bit thin but the fawn was in good shape, no spots. I will reassess next weekend if they come back!

Thanks again!

yep, biologist have told us that there are arguments for taking/leaving both... Bottom line they said is take the doe that gives you the shot. that way you make sure to take out the numbers you need too

Some people argue to let the older mature does go. I couldn't shoot a fawn or yearling without a real special reason, but I'd target a smaller one before the larger doe. Big does support bigger bucks and bone density is a factor in horns.

I'm not following that, seriously confused. Big does support bigger bucks and bone density is a factor in horns? What does that mean?

As far as shooting Does... if you have way too many then any doe is a good one to shoot. If your numbers are somewhat in control you should concentrate on taking out some older ones. Your middle-aged Does are your producers.

And as far as shooting one that has fawns by her side... not for me. I watched a Doe with 2 fawns last weekend. Neither fawn had spots but they were still nursing and she was still letting them. No way I would have shot her.

I read an article by a biologist that laid out the argument for shooting smaller frame does (assuming they were younger). I think it is safe to say he was not talking about really old does that are not gonna make it. In that case, do the doe and favor and take her. I struggle a lot with aging does. Just because she is fat, doesn't make her old.

1. A big bodied doe will be more likely to accept a big bodied buck.

2. Bone health is a major contributor to antlers. So, a bigger bodied doe should have better bone structure, mass, calcium, etc to pass on more vitamins to the fawn.

3. An older doe will more likely throw twins as well.

To answer this question you would have to determine your goal. Are you overpopulated and trying to thin or are you trying to build the herd? In a healthy herd without concern for range quality, take the young ones because there will be more of them. If you want to grow population leave the older ones. If you have more deer than the range can support, take any doe. Whatever, you do, take them early. Killing a doe in January can be a nightmare.

With fawns no. Without, first one I get a good shot at gets and arrow.

I shoot barren does (no longer in the breeding herd) and the yearlings (camp meat at its finest). Besides it takes a yearling longer to produce another offspring than a breeding age doe. I don't live/hunt in areas with excessive numbers of does so culling breeding age does is not a priority. Hope this info helps.

We don't have an over population of does. I'm picky about the one I will shoot. Needs to be mature with no fawn.

We hunt pretty far south texas, the fawns are still very small and dependant on momma as of this weekend. I held off shooting because of it.

Lot's of opinions on what does and when to shoot them. I have heard and read alot of "recommendations".

The one that makes sense to me is to shoot does EARLY in the season before they are bred again. If you wait until after the rut, then you are more than likely shooting "two" deer with one shot.

I took a mature doe (without a fawn in sight) the first week of the season and I will take another one during October if I see one that is mature and healthy.

Taking does is an important part of a management strategy. And there is no better backstrap to grill than a doe.

Taking them early means less available does during the rut. Theoretically making the bucks have to hunt for them more making them more vulnerable.

Or they leave and go to the neighbor...

I think it depends on what part of the state you are in. We have does that are bread into February and fawns that are born well into auguast and even beginning of September. Come bow season they are still very small. If its a doe with no fawn shoot away. I didn't have it in me to shoot this weekend.

Does get no pass from me if the fawn is eating corn an is not spotted. That fawn will survive an the doe has served her purpose. Here's my opening weekend doe that was with just such a fawn.

I agree, but I took the above picture this sunday and that fawn was little spotted and still nursing.

A lot depends on location in the state and timing of rut for your area.

Yup. Id never knowingly shoot a doe with a spotted fawn either.