The Dilemma

Had a 5 minute dilemma last night...should I shoot 'her' or not ?

The usual hunt scenario: I see it's a Doe, I relax the gun and watch for a trailing Buck. She acts as bait and hopefully draws in a Buck. It has worked for me many many times.

However, this year, the camp has only one deer on the pole...3 days left. I have a nice older Doe in front of me, no fawns (she's a regular on the trail cam). I personally don't like to shoot Doe's, haven't shot one in many many years. Why, because they are what keep the area population stable and attract Bucks to the area during the rut.

But I have my loyalty to the camp to provide meat.

I let her walk, but wrestled with it all night. The trail cams are showing a there are Doe's still around so I guess one less won't make a big impact. If she had run out in front during a push of the bush I would shot her without hesitation, but when I have a choice during an evening hunt, I think twice.

It's an easy answer to make for guys that shot at a camp or property they don't own; "It's brown it's down" ...not much thought or concern to the impact on the deer population. But this in my own back yard, it's a small bush, maybe 3 sq/km so I don't like to kill them, keep them around to breed and take only the Bucks when I have the choice.

Anyway...I guess as the pressure builds towards the end of the week we'll see what happens, hopefully we'll put another Buck up on the pole and solve the Dilemma.

Tough choice indeed. Still searching a buck myself. Last weekend out, leave today at noon....5th year the charm???

Nothing wrong with that decision. However if we all practiced that thought process we would be over-run by doe's. I see this in Michigan. for every 50 deer I see 1 might be a basket rack buck. To properly balance the heard a certain amount of doe's should be taken out.

You still have lot's of time to get a buck if you bow hunt... :)

There must be some concern regarding the number of does as my additional tag in WMU 84 was for archery antlerless. During the rifle hunt, I hunt with a group that is most interested in harvesting deer for meat. to each their own.

One of the best quotes Ive heard is "Dont pass something on the first day, that youd happily take on the last". Ive been guilty of not following that guide in the past but its good food for thought.

I have had my cross hairs on does a number of times in the last 2 weeks. I do have a doe tag in my pocket but like you Mike have decided to let them walk. Years of hunting have thought me that good things come to those who wait. Looking forward to the ML hunt in 2 weeks when the corn is off the fields, the ponds are frozen and the big guys are no longer nocturnal.

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Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter

Nothing wrong with that decision. However if we all practiced that thought process we would be over-run by doe's. I see this in Michigan. for every 50 deer I see 1 might be a basket rack buck. To properly balance the heard a certain amount of doe's should be taken out.

You still have lot's of time to get a buck if you bow hunt... :)

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The area down in SW Ontario and in Michigan are entirely different than our current situation we have up here.

We had no antlerless tags for 4 guys at the camp this year, had 1 spike buck come out and the guy did not shoot until he was sure it was a buck, at that point the light was fading and he missed. Another doe came out to my wife, would have been a nice one for her first deer but at least she sees animals and enjoys being in the stand.

Mike, nothing wrong with letting her go, the gang is small this year and there is already one hanging, I know how many years I hunted with a gang of 8-12 and had nothing hanging or just a fawn at the end of the week, spilt a fawn up with 12 guys, not much for 8 or 9 days of hard hunting.

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Originally Posted by impact

Looking forward to the ML hunt in 2 weeks when the corn is off the fields, the ponds are frozen and the big guys are no longer nocturnal.

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I agree, it looks like I'll come out of the rifle hunt this week with my Antlerless tag still in my wallet, so I'll be looking forward to the best hunt of the year...the ML season.

Now she's mocking me, this was this morning (month on cam not right). I got to the blind at 6:00 am, after she ate breakfast and left :) . She's not a bad sized deer.

https://i.imgur.com/1V3SANg.jpg

Mike, I passed one up last week with nothing in the freezer either, so I feel your anguish .... but as you say the muzzleloader season is still to come and that is when I traditionally get my best chance at a good buck! Good luck!

Nothing wrong with taking a doe especially if you are hunting for meat. I prefer a doe anyday.
I don't know what the population is like in your area but to produce a healthy herd you've got to cull out some of the does.