Worth shooting as a back up plan?

[HunterofWA]

Let me know what you think. She still has a fawn with her but she's coming really consistently during shooting light. I want to know what your thoughts are so that if I don't get an opportunity at a buck...

[jackelope]

I wouldn't shoot.

[Timberstalker]

Would this be your first deer?

[HunterofWA]

k

[HunterofWA]

Would this be your first deer?

First with a bow. 2nd total

[Tbob]

I'm not against shooting does (as I haven't taken many deer either), but for me if it has a fawn with it, I'm probably not gonna shoot. But honestly, that's just me so if it's legal, just do what you think is good man. And for me, she looks kinda skinny.. I might look for an obese one, you know the ones, holding a 150oz Big Gulp full of Mt. Dew?!

[HunterofWA]

Ok I think I wait a bit then. See if any bucks decide to show up. The deer do congregate into little "herds" around here soon as fall comes so I think I'll wait so that I have some more options.

[Bullkllr]

She looks a little skinny and has a fawn. You have until sometime in December to think about it or find a different deer.

[badnewskruse]

if you shoot the good ones, you'll never get the great ones. You have a lot of time as an archery hunter to hunt. If it came down to it you should be able to find a doe the last week of late season. 

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Leave the females for the children to learn on.   

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[jackelope]

Leave the females for the children to learn on.   

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Especially with all the great late season blacktail opportunities.

[pd]

Continued great work on that feedlot of yours!  Great pictures.

It is not my place to advise others, but here is another thing to think about.  Elk are very much herd animals, and females (cows, both nursing and dry) spend their whole lives with other females, and immature males (bulls).  Where you live the herds can be anywhere from 5 to 25 in size.  The thing about cows with calves is this: If the mother cow dies, another cow will adopt the calf.  For this reason, I don't feel that bad about targeting cows.  Blacktail are another story, they don't live in large herds like elk, and I am not so certain that an orphaned fawn (especially one born this year) would be adopted by another doe if the fawn's mother died.

I do agree with the point that your doe in question is very skinny and small.  It is great that she regularly appears in your special spot, especially during the daylight.

Life is full of choices, and the decisions you make both reflect your character, and reinforce that character. 

[Bob33]

The thing about cows with calves is this: If the mother cow dies, another cow will adopt the calf.  For this reason, I don't feel that bad about targeting cows.  Blacktail are another story, they don't live in large herds like elk, and I am not so certain that an orphaned fawn (especially one born this year) would be adopted by another doe if the fawn's mother died.

There is some evidence indicating that deer do this as well.

[fishnfur]

From Google: 

Fawns can be completely weaned and survive without milk by 10 weeks of age (2½ months), but does often wean them at 12 to 16 weeks (3 to 4 months). It's not uncommon for hunters to see a May or June born fawn still nursing, or attempting to, in October (20-plus weeks).

That doe will leave her fawn while she's in estrous.  If you can find her then, hold out for Mr. Big whom will be coming by shortly.  Don't feel bad for the fawn if you choose to harvest the doe though.  It will be ready to join the other locals for the winter survival test.  Heck, you could harvest the fawn too and have the venison equivalent of veal!

[csaaphill]

yeah thinking I'd have to feel sorry for her and not shoot at least not this season, maybe next.