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To shoot or not to shoot

jonpgilbert2

Junior Member
41
0
Ok I was hunt for my target buck all season passed on all the bucks I seen. Didn't shoot any does. The freezer is empty and now I have mixed thoughts on shooting a doe this late in the season. Shoot a doe now and I would potentially be killing 3 to 4 deer if she's pregnant or put meat in the freezer. I really don't know what I want to do. What are all your guys thoughts on shooting a doe this late in the season???
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
Whack em and stack em. Makes virtually no difference whether you killed that doe in October or next week... The end result is the same.
 

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
Supporting Member
6,551
66
SW Ohio
Depends on how many does you are seeing. I had 14 does and yearlings feeding together the other night and if I needed the meat I would drop one.
 

finelyshedded

You know what!!!
Supporting Member
31,856
260
SW Ohio
How many deer you have in your area? Numbers up or down?
Are bucks dropping sheds yet in your area? If you do shoot one just be sure it ain't "HIM"! Lol
I know you said your freezer is empty but do you really need and want "deer" meat. If so then take the risk and shoot one.
Shooting a young deer has its pros and cons. The main con......not much meat! Your decision though!
If your area has nice deer numbers then shoot one or even two and enjoy!


Good luck
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,721
248
Ohio
Whether you shoot a doe early season or late season you reduced potential deer in the spring by 2-4 deer. If I NEED the meat, I am shooting one. Doesn't matter which one. My family will be fed.
 

jonpgilbert2

Junior Member
41
0
I agree with all answers. Either way shoot one early or late still killing multiple deer potentially. I have myself a rule to not shoot anything smaller than my target bucks. Now mama and the kids aren't happy with me not shooting any hahaha. The wife says quit passing up deer and shoot one already!!!!!!!!!! I usually shoot 2or 3 deer a year and we eat it all up by the time September comes around. We count on the meat but I was try something new this year and trying to be patient for a big boy but look where that got me haha. I'm sure I'm reading into it to much on shooting a late season doe but I just wanted to see what other guys thoughts are. Thanks a lot guy's
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I don't tell my wife when I let deer walk. That's got bad news written all over it! She only cares about the meat. And women say that's all we think about...
 

runhunter

Junior Member
323
38
Whether you shoot a doe early season or late season you reduced potential deer in the spring by 2-4 deer. If I NEED the meat, I am shooting one. Doesn't matter which one. My family will be fed.

Bingo, just don't look too closely while gutting it. You'll never know the difference
 
When my child ask for deer meat I just make it happen. All there is to it. How ever this year I killed 3 deer total. Three deer from three different countys. I try to spread out my killing unlike my moron neighbors who haven't figured out the concept. They can't figure out why the had 5 deer on camera killed 4 and now just see one deer occasionally. Such a mystery
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
Whack em and stack em. Makes virtually no difference whether you killed that doe in October or next week... The end result is the same.
This.

Tracie's doe has 2 fetuses in her, first time I've ever seen this. She was more fascinated than disturbed. If you think about it, killing a doe can kill multiple deer at any time. Shoot her opening day and her fawns have any decreased chance of survival as opposed to shooting her now after the fawns have 3.5 more months of survival training and deer are herded up, providing safety in numbers.

Shoot her anywhere from the last week of October until now, it's likely she's been breed. Whether you shoot a doe that's been breed today or 48 after she was breed, you are ensuring those eggs don't turn into fawns on the outside.

If you need meat, shoot one. That's why she killed one and I'd have her do it again.
 

Palmatedbuck04

Junior Member
There is obviously a lot less deer in Ohio now.i live in the northeast corner of the state and deer sightings ate few and far between.i have not shot a doe since 1999 because i could see the downward spiral in my area.i say eat tag soup.its not the ODNR's responsibility to feed anyones family.i wish we would go back to a one deer state and let the herd bounce back
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,743
274
North Carolina
There is obviously a lot less deer in Ohio now.i live in the northeast corner of the state and deer sightings ate few and far between.i have not shot a doe since 1999 because i could see the downward spiral in my area.i say eat tag soup.its not the ODNR's responsibility to feed anyones family.i wish we would go back to a one deer state and let the herd bounce back

What county you in if you don't mind me asking? I'm in Columbiana county....