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November 16th, 2015, 07:43 PM
#1
shooting fawns
We're all hearing abut the deer numbers are down, and I'm not posting this thread to judge people but why are hunters harvesting fawns? As hunters do we need to do more on conservation let these fawns get older.
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November 16th, 2015 07:43 PM
# ADS
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November 16th, 2015, 07:56 PM
#2
A fawn without its mother stands little chance of surviving a winter considering predators, etc. Thats my take on it.
There are three reasons to own a gun. To protect yourself and your family, to hunt dangerous and delicious animals, and to keep the King of England out of your face.
- Krusty the Clown
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November 16th, 2015, 07:58 PM
#3
Fawns taste good 
But I guess it depends on the area and what you are seeing. It could be as simple as having 15-20 on the next farm or just over the other hill and not knowing or seeing them.
If there truly were no deer in a WMU then a antlerless tag wouldn't be issued. I like to think the MNR knows what they are doing and we just don't or can't see the bigger picture.
"Everything is easy when you know how"
"Meat is not grown in stores"
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November 16th, 2015, 08:18 PM
#4
Originally Posted by
fratri
I like to think the MNR knows what they are doing and we just don't or can't see the bigger picture.
Years ago, before Bob Rae fracked Ontario, this would have been true. Now that they've been gutted and have no budget I'd guess their management plan is based on the Mandatory Controlled Hunt surveys that everyone fills out to suit their own agenda, and info on deer/vehicle collisions for specific areas.
Last edited by be2man; November 17th, 2015 at 07:46 AM.
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November 16th, 2015, 09:34 PM
#5
Originally Posted by
be2man
Years ago, before Bob Rae fracked Ontario, this would have been true. Now that they've been gutted and have no budget I'd guess their management plan is based on the Mandatory Controlled Hunt surveys that everyone fills out to suit their own agenda.
Thats my take on it also. That and the scouting and knowledge of your area yourself. I dont believe doe tag hand outs are based on sientific information for years now.
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November 17th, 2015, 12:01 AM
#6
Originally Posted by
Mr.Boiler
A fawn without its mother stands little chance of surviving a winter considering predators, etc. Thats my take on it.
Actually that isn't totally accurate- there have been a number of studies related to fawn survival after the doe has been killed. many of these studies show that a fawn will bond to other mature does in the area and in turn are taken under their wing so to speak and survival rates are fairly high when this happens. In my case I will not shoot a fawn or a doe with a fawn or any buck under three and a half, but to each their own.
Last edited by stilchen67; November 17th, 2015 at 12:03 AM.
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November 17th, 2015, 06:22 AM
#7
It's really no more of a waste then shooting any deer...I am looking for some meat and I would wait on a fawn for something bigger but if time is running out...guess whose gettiner
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November 17th, 2015, 06:49 AM
#8
Has too much time on their hands
Originally Posted by
lubahunter
We're all hearing abut the deer numbers are down, and I'm not posting this thread to judge people but why are hunters harvesting fawns? As hunters do we need to do more on conservation let these fawns get older.
They taste the best.
They are the dumbest.
They might be male or female.
Their chances of reviving a first winter is lower than an adult.
Who said the number are down, hunters that couldn't fill their tags? Plenty of deer in 60, 46 and 53. If you didn't fill your tag in those area either you did something wrong or it's just the way it goes some year, nothing to do with deer number been low.
You questioned about shooting fawn but not doe, doesn't make much sense to me, can you explain?
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November 17th, 2015, 06:52 AM
#9
Hunter impact on the deer is marginal. I think (in round numbers) the MNR estimates 400,000 deer in Ontario and they estimate that hunters harvest about 100,000 in the annual cull....so in rough terms hunters affect maybe 25% of the population.
Also, consider due to the tag allotment system, the largest percentage of that 25% is antlered bucks, so even fewer does/fawns are taken.
Whether you take a fawn/doe/young buck has relatively no implications as far as Deer Management considerations.
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November 17th, 2015, 07:35 AM
#10
Hey Seabast,
From the site everyone here saying that they're not seeing any deer and talking to other hunters. I was at Sail the other day bunch of guys braging about shooting fawns, didn't understand why that is. Not much meat on a fawn. I dont see the point shooting a fawn. I hunt WMU 47 this year saw a total of 17 does and fawns within 2 days I was there. I had them within 30-50 yards from me. I decided not to take the shot. Rather hunt 3+ years old. Just my opinion.
Originally Posted by
seabast
They taste the best.
They are the dumbest.
They might be male or female.
Their chances of reviving a first winter is lower than an adult.
Who said the number are down, hunters that couldn't fill their tags? Plenty of deer in 60, 46 and 53. If you didn't fill your tag in those area either you did something wrong or it's just the way it goes some year, nothing to do with deer number been low.
You questioned about shooting fawn but not doe, doesn't make much sense to me, can you explain?
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