I had a really nice looking doe that was a frequent visitor to my stand this year, she was a really light reddish color. Multiple times I thought about taking her and having her hide tanned.

I decided not to take her because I didnt feel right about killing her for her hide. Obviously I would of ate the meat, I wouldnt have just shot her for the hide technically.

Now if she would of been melonistic, albino or piebald I dunno if I could of resisted.

What do you think, would you take one just because it had a nice hide?

For the record, she looked just like this.

Really stood out with all the typical grey central texas deer. She was the only one that had this color.

You'll shoot a buck for the antlers but not a doe for her hide? You eat the buck too. I don't see a difference. In fact, shooting does will probably help the overall deer herd's health by reducing overall numbers. I say go for it. You need to shoot does. Might as well get a trophy out of it too.

Oh I shoot does trust me. I had already taken my doe to the processor when I was thinking about taking this one for her hide. I didnt really need anymore meat, that was my main concern really.

Donate the meat to a family in need. There are plenty of folks that could use it and you keep the hide. Win-win.

If you needed to take off more mouths then I would take off the doe. Nothing wrong with it if the meat is not going to waste.

I've been watching a doe so light colored she is almost white on my place for about 4 years now. This upcoming season I think I'm going to take her if I see her-and tan her hide for the wall.

So the answer is: Yes.

I will eat the meat of course.

Sounds like a good excuse to donate to Hunters for the Hungry.

yes.

its okay to kill something for a purpose other than eating it.

donate the meat and get the hide tanned

That reddish color is just their summer coat.

I would if it was a Axis deer.

Not all the time. It is genetic and could be a deer from another area of the state that was TTT'd in and escaped.

I try not to shoot the reddish colored ones, just the grey lil' pip squeaks.

Not in deer season, we have a reddish blonde doe so I know what he means.

Yeah she has this color year round, very nice looking hide. If she is still around next year I will probably take her and have her hide tanned.

yep

Question: if you plan to get a hide tanned, do you still shoot through the shoulder, and if so, what about the holes left behind?

No, I would not. It would be a neck shot for sure.

I most certainly would shoot deer, buck or doe, for its hide. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say. If it is that special to you, pull the trigger.

We have one or two like that as well. I always have assumed their hormones aren't quite kicking in or something. I have also shot one that the whole body was the reddish color coat, and the head was the greyish winter coat. Perfect line on the neck where the color changed.

Sorry about the poor pic quality, this was taken thru the redneck zoom at 175 yards.
Yes, I would shoot a deer for its cape/hide. If I see this deer again next season I will take him just for his cape since he has a great double white patch.

cape regardless... all part of the package.... great deer

Yes.

Get most of our deer hides tanned since I live down the road from a tannery and its really cheap. Even got the back half of my sons last buck because of how red he was. Looks good.

I agree with the others, as long as the meat is not wasted - BOOM!

I shot a red colored doe once because she was so different from the rest of the herd. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't since I didn't save the hide and it would have been interesting to see her from year to year since we were the only hunters.

On the other hand, I shot a coyote once that had the most beautiful cream colored coat with black tips and I picked him out for that reason. We attempted to tan the hide, but didn't do a good job. Next time I will leave it to a professional. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We all see something different in each animal. So yes, I would shoot a deer for its hide. The meat would go to good use.