kidd Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 So I was watching one of many deer hunting shows last nite and the hunters on the show mentioned that when ever they get busted or have a doe on high alert...they harvest it. No question...their theory is that they would rather drag a deer out then to have the deer snort and scare all of the rest of the deer in the field. They also went on to mention that if it was a weary ol momma she would be very tentive around that stand site. Interesting thought and idea. I tend to shoot any doe I have presented, just because we have alot of them on this certain farm. Just wondering your thoughts? Nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 I don’t disagree but that doesn’t mean I lay them over either. Some does are every bit as smart as a buck and they are just trying to keep the alert down. The does will often remember where the stands were, know what to look for, etc. I don’t disagree but that doesn’t mean I lay them over either. Some does are every bit as smart as a buck and they are just trying to keep the alert down. The does will often remember where the stands were, know what to look for, etc. We had a doe on the ranch that got so old she literally turned gray. It was a spoken agreement that we would not harvest her at that point. She was a good momma and even saved the life of smaller bucks. I was busted more by that old bird than any other deer on the place. She just had the ability to find you and she was a pro at it. She once had a fawn and buck in tow skirting the edge of a field. I was setup in tall grass, wind in my favor. They needed to close about 20 yards and I could have harvested the buck (he was nice too). Without missing a beat she stopped and locked dead onto me. I didnt think there was any way I could be spotted but she busted me and ran the rest of the deer out of the field. That same field had about three stand sites. It didn’t matter what scent control you used, what camo pattern, etc. If you were there you would likely get busted. I actually appreciated her for that and often tried to outsmart her. It happened from time to time, I could have taken her several times, but it was one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever done while hunting. To my knowledge she died of old age. We saw and challenged her for several years and then suddenly she was gone. Great old girl. Kind of miss seeing her in the field, fawn or fawns in tow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Personally I don't know anyone that likes to have a doe blow at them, but I really just take it in stride, not uncommon to have the same doe return in a few minutes, or more deer come by only minutes after the event. Sounds like a dumb theory to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 i've had them return and walk on by with a fawn of the year. it's basically what i'm trying to do now in the early season. i've got some older does that will walk in with you pegged. they're much heavier than most of the other deer too. so i figure i'm "killing a couple birds with one stone". only problem is they're the smartest deer in the area so i haven't gotten any yet. lol later in the season i'll take the first mature doe that gives me an opportunity. i've got 4 tags, and two are able to be used on a buck or doe at some point. i'd like to try and get two big old monster doe and then a couple nice bucks if i can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Educated does certainly can pose problems especially with close range bow hunting, but dunno about that leading to the idea of shooting every one of them you see. Been a few over the years that I have had opportunities on that I let go only to have them end up blowing chances later on with bucks. Those old does can be vary smart and wary. That said, because so many guys around here hunt with the brown its down mentality and because my wife and children hunt here I tend to let does walk unless we are hurting for meat or I know they are going to be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 I kill every doe that picks me off or gets nervous around me regardelss of property or stand. If she doesn't know I'm there it depends on the stand and farm on whether I shoot her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 (edited) My attitude...to each their own! I don't necessarily agree with them. If I had agreed with them, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to see, much less shoot at (even though I missed) a big one I've been after for 2 years this past Saturday. That afternoon I had a doe give a half hearted blow & leave only to return later along with the other deer that took off. I've had does blow at something else besides me and take off while watching other deer that just looked her way and then went about their business without spooking too. I've had does get nervous and make a half hearted blow, then leave and return again within a hour. It's happened many times. The ones that go out there and blow over and over again usually ruin a hunt. The ones that do that have already high tailed it out of there. Doesn't happen often but does. More often than not it's because the hunter moved & sent them packing or they were winded. Personally, where I choose to shoot does depends on several things. The ease of getting them out for one. The amount of disturbance I could make to an area, especially if I have multiple stands in the area. If I have shooter class bucks freqenting the stand area I pass does no matter how easy it is of a drag. Edited November 3, 2011 by Rhino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldridgem1 Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 I agree with the people in the video to an extent. Deer blowing is something thats just going to happen no matter what. Now its their decision to shoot every one that picks them off, personally it depends for me if the freezer needs meat or not. I dont belive that a doe picking you off is that big of deal, personally i think the same deer may present itself within an hour of it happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 An old Blowing doe is gonna get an arrow if I get the chance...not as easy as it sounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backwoodsbowhunter Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 My opinion not every doe that snorts needs shot. A deer snorting doesn't always mean your the reason, they can be alerted by plenty of things. However if I know she's alerted by me and I have no problem taking her I will do it for the reason of not wanting deer to be nervous around stand sites because 1 deer out smarted me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 To each their own as long as it's legal / ethical. For me, it's tough to beat the feeling of accomplishment that goes with a difficult / time intensive hunt. Having smart old does around is all part of the challenge that goes with the hunt. There are several reasons I'll shoot a doe, but getting rid of a doe because she is "smart" is not one of them. If I get busted in a particular stand a lot - time to change stands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 I've had does blow at something else besides me and take off while watching other deer that just looked her way and then went about their business without spooking too. Yeah that's pretty common. Why worry about one snorter when you'll make 10 times the disturbance whacking her, tracking her, then dragging her? If I intend to take a doe, I'll take a doe, I don't let their actions dictate what I'm gonna do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Sometimes you can't shoot them. Don't think your hunt is blown! A single snort and bolt doesn't ruin the hunt. Keep hunting. If the doe takes off snorting and then stops and snorts from one position a few times then answer her with a few snorts of your own. Deer only stop and snort from the same location when they believe they are safely away from the danger that spooked them. In effect they are spreading the news of where the safe zone is. If you answer a few times from the same location, the other deer in the area will think the danger lies somewhere between the two of you. Sometimes this pays off sometimes it doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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