Question for ya???


MCH

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I know some answers may depend upon your state's regulations but that's part of the reason I'm asking.

Situation:

Opening day of Bow Season in your state. You're in your stand at daylight. No deer sightings until 10:00 a.m., when a doe slowly makes her way past your stand.

She stops broadside at 20 yards.

What do you do?

My answer:

Dead Deer Walking. October 1st, shouldn't be a buck following, although I'd make sure. Late in the hunt and in Oklahoma we get to harvest 4 deer with bow and only two of which can be bucks.

Meat in the freezer and one less tag.

You??

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Guest tunkhannockbowhunter

Re: Question for ya???

i wouldnt shoot it because on opening day im in a stand that is very like to produce buck sightings and if i shoot the doe then i take the chance of ruining a good buck stand.

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Re: Question for ya???

That's exactly what I'm looking for at that time of the year. My usual plan is to take a couple does early in the season and then wait on a nice buck or two in the November time frame (unless a big one wants to step out before then). In IL I can only shoot 2 bucks over all seasons but can shoot as many does as i have tags for and i can buy archery tags over the counter.

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Re: Question for ya???

Same here! I will be getting a doe tag this year. Only reason is I got a bow. This year will be my first year hunting with a bow. I personally never shot a doe during rifle season and probably never will. I know the doe is more likely carring young. I know its a part of management! Just my personal doing. Does during bow season are not breed yet. So it fair game with the bow. Yeah, I know but they still can get pregnant later, but I know at least now there not!

Dead doe! Meat in the freezer!

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Re: Question for ya???

Dead doe walking grin.gif

If she's mature, she's down. I like getting the doe out of the way early, so I'm not tempted later.

Besides, it does wonders for the confidence level and gets the meat in the freezer.

After that, it's the passing game, until Mr. Right comes along grin.gif

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Re: Question for ya???

I'd shoot in a heart beat. I'm not sure how harvesting a doe would ruin the buck stand as you speak. I guess someone should have told the big 8 point my friend shot last year that. He walked down the same trail as the doe my buddy shot that morning, and the buck even sniffed the gut pile. And believe me, he is not the first person to take a buck from the same stand after shooting a doe.

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Guest Scrape Maker

Re: Question for ya???

I'm going to take the shot as long as she doesn't have fawns still nursing.But if they come out in the food plot and the fawn takes a nibble of clover my Muzzy is going to have a nibble too.

BACKSTRAPS FOR BREAKFAST!!!!

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Re: Question for ya???

I haven't shot a doe in over 5 years now. I've been trying to increase the deer population on my 2 properties. My land is located in a pretty low deer density area. One area averages only 15 deer per sq. mile. Last spring I had 13 deer feeding on a 3 acre plot so I think it is about time to get some doe meat in the freezer.

In higher density areas it is actually better on the herd to take the doe early. Less does for the bucks to breed which decreases the breeding stress on bucks. With less does you will actually see a shorter rut period for the bucks but during that time you might see an increase in rut behavior. With a better doe:buck ratio the bucks will respond better to mock scrapes and calling (rattling/grunting). With less does during the colder period there is also less stress of food shortage. So from a QDM standpoint the earlier the does are taken the better for the overall heard.

Like others have said during the early season more than likely the bucks won't be following the does at this time so there is less likelyhood of spooking a buck when shooting the doe.

todd

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Re: Question for ya???

first things first in oklahoma and it is opening day and no meat in the freezer. next answer look behind her andmake sure there is no monster buck on an early cruise for an early doe in esterous and yes i have seen that here in oklahoma and a buddy of mine had a video which i think i have or maybe nothe was breeding with her and tending her and he was a monster. sorry i kind of got off line there lol.

anyways if there is no monster p&y buck behind her i thump her no brainer there all,.meat inthe freezer and i am looking for somefresh strap and loin and marinate them in my favorite stuff and slow cook them on the grill and i have grilled venison steak sandwhich which is top of the world. then i would also take the tenderloin and wrap some bacon on it and then baked potatoes formt he grill and corn on the cobb on the grill. now strap sandwhiches on the night of the kill and the next night the fillet mingon loin wrapped and been in a great terryaki marinade and injhected each one and put in the fridge for 24 hours and for two days eating like a king lol

rob k

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Re: Question for ya???

Can you say "Get the game cart"?It's nice to get that first deer of the season,so you can calm down.Fawns are old enough by hunting season to survive on their own here.I shoot hair with my bow,and muzzleloader.When I pull the .30-06 out,then it's time to trophy hunt. wink.gif

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Guest tyshe17

Re: Question for ya???

For me personally it would depend on where I was hunting...down to the stand location. I have certain stands that are my Trophy stands that I would not want to mess up by taking a deer too early. However, I usually dont hunt these places until the end of October so I probably wouldnt be in one of thoes stands anyways. I think it just depends on what you want from that area you are hunting. Unl

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