Does early or later

[nybuckboy]

What’s the thoughts on taking a doe or does early season or late?  I could have put this in deer hunting section but felt it fit better in Bow Hunting. I also realize that much may have to do with how much time you have as a hunter and access to land to hunt. 
 

I’ve always felt  that I can take a doe even late in gun season therefore I don’t take a doe in bow season because the doe I kill early may be the doe that brings the nice buck past my stand in the November rut.

[Delete]

I try to fill my freezer first. 

[The_Real_TCIII]

The old "rut bait" vs "make them have to chase around fewer does" debate. I usually shoot the first doe I can, they dont come easy to me during archery

[Robhuntandfish]

I will take the first good size doe that comes thru.  Cause then i feel that the freezer is covered i can be picky on a buck.  Plus early season i tend to hunt the fringe areas of my spots first and field edges.  But my goal every year is for that early doe. Otherwise i have to make decisions on that 4/5 pointer coming thru. Best case scenario for me is two doe in the freezer early and last three weeks of archery to play for a big buck.  

[crappyice]

Meat first!


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[Swamp_bucks]

If I had a choice I prefer early for maybe an odd reason.  I don't worry if that one doe gets taken early because chances are it's probably not brining a buck past me.  But if I take one late season it's probably bred and now I've taken that doe and whatever fawn it may have in the spring.  That being said if I don't have a deer taken by late season I would take a doe.   Where deer numbers are huge and I don't think it really matters.

[Don_C]

I think if you have plenty of does, it doesn't matter too much. If you don't, it could possibly impact buck movement during the rut. Maybe? I don't know, I personally don't think about it that deeply. If a nice doe walks by and I feel like taking it, I'll do it. 

 

 

[nybuckboy]

This is exactly my thought as the video says. Keep the does happy and the big bucks will follow. I’ll kill a doe late season for meat. 2 maybe. 

[Fletch]

I will take a doe or two early if given the chance. Meat is the priority.

[G-Man]

I always take the 1st adult doe I can the 1st week of bow . I prefer it to be a doe with twin button buck.

Now here is why

Does are the one that chase the little buck out, you kill mom and they stick around as they only know their mothers home range, the following year you will see more 1.5 year olds and if you pass on those then they become 2.5, though range may expand they will always keep their ( moms) range as part of their own . Has help boost buck numbers significantly here. 

Edited August 4, 2020 by G-Man

[grampy]

If I do shoot a doe, it will be late season.

[Team Hoyt]

I'll take a doe early on. Meat in the freezer 

[fasteddie]

Shoot as soon as the opportunity arises . Doe in the freezer is good . Unfilled doe tags bad .

 

[Nomad]

I’ve shot a pile, of doe over the years at all times . Lately I don’t take any unless I haven’t shot a buck and the season is ending . It’s just the Mrs and I and one good sized buck is fine .

Now that I’ve started canning , and stocking up the pantry , I plan to take a doe right off the bat in bow to can , than a buck for the freezer.

[rob-c]

I have no problem shooting a doe  early season, mid season or late season. I’m deer hunting....

[Culvercreek hunt club]

If I have a doe tag in a area that needs them taken I will do it no matter what day int he season. The only thing that would stop me would be if I could see a buck I wanted to take following her. Other than that "send it"

[cdbing]

I prefer to pass on does with small fawns. If I see the fawn, the doe will generally get a pass in October.

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[Enigma]

I'm usually carrying a fist full of tags so I shoot them every chance I get. Not many get a pass even early. 

[BowmanMike]

First good doe gets it. We have a ton of them around,i am not worried about one or two less for the bucks to chase.

I will be hunting some public and private land this year,so i am not worried about burning any one spot out.

[suburbanfarmer]

It all depends on the property. In 8N , I have seen doe groups of 6-8 at a time. So a couple of doe will get the arrow if given the chance.

Where as in 8A where I have access, I hardly see any doe but gun season there are bucks around always.

[UpStateRedNeck]

My goal opening day is to put a fatty in the freezer that's been slobbering down apples.  They always seem to taste better.

[Hock3y24]

Shoot a doe whenever i can. I've got enough tags and mouths to feed and see no shortage of deer where i hunt. If shes acting funky in late Oct, early Nov ill pass.  My family of four eats 5-6 deer a year. We donate a few to some families we know. Ill have 11 tags between PA NY if my wife and i both get double doe tags on high high chances. 

Edited August 5, 2020 by Hock3y24

[Arcade Hunter]

I gave a pass last year and lived to regret it.  Ill take a doe right off the bat if I get the opportunity.  After that, the pressure is off and there's meat in the freezer

[GreeneHunter]

During Crossbow I'll take whatever Deer wanders past .... need to get the meat in the freezer and take the pressure off with the first Deer .... Doe or Buck !

[SpacemanSpiff]

Lately i kill does after thanksgiving, definitely no shortage of does for the freezer. Works for my properties, more does in estrus the better. Im more of a gun hunter anyways tho.