mossyhorn Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Ok this morning I had a chance to kill a doe. Thing is she had a fawn with her. I have been told it would have been ok without her but I still would have not felt right killing its mother. I want to now if given the chance would you have shot at the doe or passed? And how would you know if the fawn would survive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question thats a tuffy....its all personal preference i guess...seeing that i have never taken a deer, bow or rifle, i probably would have taken it....if i were a more experienced hunter and had more deer under my belt, i probly would have let her go. but this is just my opinion..everyone is going to have a different point of view and trhats fine...everyone is entitled to theirs and shouldn't get on someone else for having a different view than theirs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question If the fawn/s still have spots, I let the momma walk. Always have and always will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question ummm well.. I would have took the doe. The fawn would probably group up with other does and would have survived. But thats up to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drkillemquick Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question Shooting the doe is your choice. If you did shoot it by this time of year the fawn should be fine. It's old enough to survive without ma. I like what union said though about spots however. Would I, that doesn't matter, like I said it is a decision you would have to make, and I am sure you will get some opinions here, and you will have to decide for your self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malikai Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question ironicly i thought about that last night today i had a chance too, but for a bad shot but If the fawn has spots no, if it dosent yes but it depends on how you feel at the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question There are two types of fawns. Early fawns and late fawns. There are still fawns running around here just barely out of their spots and still pokin Mom for milk. There are other earlier fawns that are much bigger and well on their way to independence. I always take a real good look at the fawn/fawns to see which one they are before deciding on whether to pull the trigger on Mom or not. By November, the does are all fair game It's legal either way, but it's your call. Personally, I don't shoot does, if I know she still has a nursing fawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question [ QUOTE ] If the fawn/s still have spots, I let the momma walk. Always have and always will. [/ QUOTE ] I really like this. Same rule I follow for myself. But I have often saw some fawns still have a hint of spots by Novemeber. So yeah they are as Buckee said Late fawns. But by Novemeber they all will survive just fine. The choice is yours and yours alone. Of course the next choice will be as we get closer to the rut... Should I shoot the doe or not, could be a buck behind her or coming and if I shoot her I may spook the buck. Oh the choices we face... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OUTSIDER Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question I'm a softey, i only like to shoot big ole mature does and the solo ones at that. I just love to watch the young uns and their parent, really neat if you ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question I wouldn't shoot the doe if the fawn had spots! No spots, she is a goner!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born2Hunt Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question If the fawn has spots or is small I'll let the doe walk. When I do look to take a doe I look for a doe with twin fawns. If she has both doe fawns I let her walk but if one or both fawns are bucks I'll take her. If you orphan the buck fawns the doe will not be there to push the buck fawns of your property when they become a 1/12 old bucks and they will keep their home range where it always has been. Also I like to take my doe early in the season before their coat gets heavy and the fawns grow anymore because the longer you wait the little one's look more like adult deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question Last year I seen a fawn come out. It didn't have spots and new it would be fine without its mom. Mom never came out though, but I would have taken the shot if presented. If the fawn had spots then no I wouldn't have shot it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaskMan Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question I prefer to take dry does, not b/c I'm worried the fawn wouldn't live but part of me just feels bad when I take a doe and her fawn mills around. I'm sure that if the fawn was large enough it'd make it through the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntnMa Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question last year i had a huge doe come out, i decided thati was just too far back in the woods to drag her out, i had meat, i needed horns, lol....as soon as i decided to pass on her, i heard it, another deer coming in..it was her fawn, so i am happy i didnt take her, but i really felt she was alone...tooj like 7-8 minutes for the fawn to join her....i would never take one that had fawn.... a yearling , maaaaaaaaaaaybe, but i try to go for the ....single older does..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question If I see a doe with fawns I let them walk, maybe I am a softy but just can't bring myself to do it. If I get a group of does then I can, maybe its me thinking those fawns will survive with the other deer. but when momma and just her fawns come near me, I let them walk, bow stays on the E-Z hanger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt03 Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question I would definitely pass on a doe with fawns. I dont need to take a doe that bad. I was hunting with a buddy one time and he shot a doe that had a fawn not far from me. The doe ran right past my tree and a few minutes later the fawn came down the same path looking to see where mom went. Its something I personally will NOT do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bushpilot Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question If the fawn didn't have spots, I would have taken them BOTH! A young deer is Excellent eats. Be sure to take the Mom first...then, if the young one runs it will certainly circle back. Happens every time. This way there is no risk of..."will it survive or won't it without mom". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QDMAworks4me Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question It is truly personal preference, but there are actually some benifits to taking a doe with fawns that a lot of people do not talk about. Fawns will be just fine on their own once hunting season starts and if the fawn is a button buck the next year when the buck is about 1 1/2 the mother will run that buck off your property and that buck will not be on your property the next year. I like to shoots does that have button bucks with them to help keep bucks on my property. I look at it as a management tool. QDM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question The choice is easy. Shoot the fawn! If it still has its spots, so much the better. Just remember to "pick a spot" when shooting........................JUST KIDDIN!!!!! Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question I have been told by a biologist that taking a fawn, especially with spots, is better, as it has a lower chance of survival........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question There is no "ethics" in this question it's a matter of thinking with your heart or thinking with your brain. The fawn will be just fine so shoot the doe. For another thing, how many does are you willing to pass up until you find one alone? They ALL have fawns with them until the spring when they have MORE fawns. I get the spots thing, but they just don't need momma anymore. Think with your brain! Or better yet, YOUR STOMACH! Shoot that doe it's good for the herd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question [ QUOTE ] Fawns will be just fine on their own once hunting season starts and if the fawn is a button buck the next year when the buck is about 1 1/2 the mother will run that buck off your property and that buck will not be on your property the next year. I like to shoots does that have button bucks with them to help keep bucks on my property. I look at it as a management tool. [/ QUOTE ] Good point QDM!! I have shot several does and after blood trailing found the fawn standing next to it's dead mother. They run off and herd up with other does. Here in NY most does are killed in Oct. or Nov. Even a late birth is weaned by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question Here right now our fawn numbers are really bad. I would skip on the doe with the fawn. have seen several does this year that for whatever reason do not have fawns tagging along with them. Think predation has been the single biggest factor. So my decision for me in this area would be to pass the doe with the little one. As for ethics, you got to do what feels right to you. The fawn might make it and be fine. Kind of early really, have seen them still nursing here this time of the year in the past, so I would think the fawn could possible still be somewhat reliant on the doe. Do what you think is right based on how it will make you feel after you have educated yourself enough about the deer in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question Easy choice...if I had a doe tag and wanted a doe at that time...I would take her...fawn or no fawn. The fawn will be ok on its own. As for the spots...must be the bambi movie your momma made you watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: ethics question I have to agree this is not about ethics. It only becomes a question about ethics IF you dont have a legal tag issued by your states DNR to take a Doe. The issue about the fawns being able to survive on their own, by the time hunting season has begun, has been proven many times over. If I do not have a tag for a Doe..I'll sit back and enjoy natures show. If I do have a tag...I'll do the drag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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