The place I hunt in Parker Co is thick with deer. I have already shot my buck here for the season (if a spike shows up I'll take him as well). I am wanting to take down a doe for the table, but they all have yearlings. What are yalls opinions on shooting a doe with a yearling still with her?

I shot one earlier this year with twin yearlings both are doing fine

That would be a fawn and this late In the season no problems. If the fawn has no spots they can make it on their own.

Man that is a tough one and I feel you will get many answers here but I have and never will shoot a doe when she has yearlings she has not kicked off. Once their gone all good but I can't in good conscious do it.

My 2 cents.

4W

Fawn is not equal to yearling. Fawn = birth to 1 year old. Yearling = 1 - 2 years old. At this time of year fawns are about six months old and yearlings are about 18 months old.

So your title should read "Shooting does with fawns".

You are correct Sir.

The VAST majority of hunters misuse the term yearling.

I changed the title, I can go change the OP also if it would help in getting opinions.

Who cares if the baby is eating corn it's old enough to survive without mama

Wouldn't shoot a doe with a nursing fawn but if it's a yearling that is still just hanging with mom I'd shoot. Most of the time I have options so don't have to shoot a doe with a yearling or fawn still around. I shot a doe with two yearlings that would travel with her but are on their own only bc the mom was a pain in the butt. She would blow at anything and kept causing deer to run off.

It is just a choice you make as a hunter. No right or wrong here. The deer will be fine either way. In some areas with a high deer population, this is hard to avoid.

Well said Brother Phil. It's a personal choice IMO.

This place has a very high deer population. I will probably have to take one with a fawn, but there is no rush to do it. I would rather not, but I can make that decision when the time comes.

I've never shot a doe with a fawn but I don't think I'd have a problem doing so.

Shoot both.

Just make sure the little one is not a button buck.

Our order

Dry does
Doe with single large fawn
Doe with large twin fawns
Doe with single small fawn
Doe with small twins

Usually get all we want out of the first two groups, occasionally shoot a doe with large twins or small single but we have lots of deer and lots of time to be selective.

Or... should I shoot the young ones for the tasty tender meat?

That's a pretty logical way to do it. I have no problem shooting a doe with a fawn, but I wouldn't be doing it early in the season. Later in the season, the fawns should certainly be old enough.

I like the tasty meat and take the what will they turn into out of the equation. If I know it's a nubbin he gets a pass but if he ain't nubbin enough for me to see with binoculars then he be good grilling!

I don't need the meat bad enough, nor do I just need to kill something, to shoot does with fawns.

At this time yearlings can fiend for themselves so taking the doe is of no consequence. Based on Information about herd management if you have plenty of deer you can take either the doe or the yearlings for meat. The yearlings would be preferable as table fare. If your population is low never take the doe with fawns as only about 60% of does are successful moms the rest are poor parents and or infertile. With moderate deer populations I always look for a single doe or take the yearling as their breeding success is uncertain. My 2 cents

Wipe the milk off lips and take it to the processor.....

This is what Hollywood wanted when they made "bambi"......

shoot away.....

I misjudged that a doe was barren. No fawn with her and in great flesh condition. It was obvious that she was nursing. I have since started taking yearlings as meat, unless I can clearly see an udder showing no signs of nursing.