I'm trying to get my first bow kill and have had several does in range recently, but they all have fawns with them. I've passed on taking them because I dont want to hurt the fawn's chances of survival. Any thoughts on the topic? Shoot or pass?

Many thoughts on this and I'm sure on here you will get every kind of answer.

My opion. If it's not a "yearling fawn" take the doe. Depending where your at, by about mid Nov the fawns should be "kicked off"

Does with yearlings I pass on.

I pass does with fawns not necessarily because the fawns chance of survival. But mostly because that tells me they will produce fawns year after year... I try to take does that are loners. Sometimes it's not an option though.

That's my thinking and like 7mag said, you're gonna get every kind of answer.

Pass

I pass generally... This has been a very tough survival year in our area, so I'll be a little more considerate of what gets taken..

I'm with the others, you'll get the whole gamit of answers on this one...doesn't make them wrong..

I try to make sure the fawn isn't watching when I shoot it's mom in the face.


unless it's a very young fawn that was born late, they will be fine.

I pass on does with fawns always

What is a "yearling fawn"? It's either a yearling or a fawn. A yearling is a deer that is between 1 and 2 years old. A fawn is a deer that is less than 1 year old.

It comes down to personal preference I think. I will not shoot a doe with a fawn myself but some guys on the lease do and I see the fawns hanging around the rest of the season and they make it fine.

Try to pass on a wet doe.

Yearling is a fawn born this yr, out of spots of course but still feeding from momma. Fawns born, the yr before in the summer, should already be weened off, but many will stay with momma doe.

Common sense in looking at fawns and how they interact will tell you if they should already been gone. Hope I am not confusing anyone.

Yep, the wet ones will be the ones with this summers fawn crop

Ok, gotcha but you have it backwards. A yearling is last year's fawn.

yeah, think I confused myself lol

If they are still nursing I dont shoot. I know I havent seen it all, but I have never seen a doe that wasnt exceptionaly old or young not have fawns.

I have heard(not saying its true) that if you shoot a doe with a fawn that the fawn will be more likely to stay put and not wonder as far, so it was sugested to shoot does with buck fawns and they would stay put. On the other hand if you shoot a doe that has twin buck fawns every year you may be biasing yourself to have more does than bucks.

matt

Don't feel bad, happens to me all the time.

I'm sure the fawns would survive because they sure know how to gobble up the corn BUT I still DON'T shoot does with fawns. Just my personal choice and I won't bash you if you decide to take one out.

The fawns are old enough to take care of themselfs by now....it usually comes down to a personal opinion...but its not a problem to harvest these doe

I don't shoot them.

I try to line 'em up and shoot 'em both with one shot. Saves ammo. Joking.

A lot depends on your managment plan. I generally try to take mature does and usually prior to the rut.

Agree

I have no problem at all taking a doe that has fawns. I'm really kinda surprised at how many hunters won't take a doe with fawns. If the fawns were not gonna make it, Parks and Wildlife wouldn't give you doe tags to begin with. JMO

You have to realize that not all fawns are born at the same time. Yes, in a perfect situation all the fawns would be old enough to survive by the time season rolls around. I saw twin spotted fawns last weekend that were not much bigger than a jack rabbit.

What he said.

I don't need the meat bad enough to break up a doe and her offspring before Mother Nature has her chance.

i would definately pass.

Ditto. Just a personal choice for me.

JJ