Muley or white tail does.

[StuckoYota99]

Hey all I have a couple days off next week. I'm wanting to harvest an Archery deer this year. Looking at the fire situation the areas around Winthrop and twisp are gonna be closed down. Anyone have a suggestion on another area I could venture into? I don't need a honey hole or anything special. Just want to get a meat doe. Thanks everyone.

[Jingles]

Seeing as mulie does aren't legal til the 16th and the way they are demobbing equipment some areas might open up. Just don't count on any DNR land. Additionally all the does I'm seeing both mulies and WT still have fawns, most still have spots, tagging along and  couple this morning still trying to nurse.

[Scruffy]

I would give the doe's a break in the fire areas.  The deer number have been dwindling in Winthrop area over the years due to fires and predators.  They need to replenish as much as they can.  I would look in the S.E. part of the state that hasn't been hit as hard.  just my 2 cents

[hunter399]

First place to look ........

[StuckoYota99]

Thanks man, but I already used onx and gmu overlay with the current fire areas to rule out gmus and areas I'm famil
iar with.

[Rainier10]

Seeing as mulie does aren't legal til the 16th and the way they are demobbing equipment some areas might open up. Just don't count on any DNR land. Additionally all the does I'm seeing both mulies and WT still have fawns, most still have spots, tagging along and  couple this morning still trying to nurse.

I couldn't believe the number of fawns with spots still that were trying to nurse this weekend.

[BULLBLASTER]

Seeing as mulie does aren't legal til the 16th and the way they are demobbing equipment some areas might open up. Just don't count on any DNR land. Additionally all the does I'm seeing both mulies and WT still have fawns, most still have spots, tagging along and  couple this morning still trying to nurse.

I couldn't believe the number of fawns with spots still that were trying to nurse this weekend.

Fawns will keep spots until they get their winter hair on. Its completely normal for them to be sporting spots this time of year. They will also nurse as long as mom lets them, though not necessary for survival at this point.
It is perfectly normal for them.

[Broomd]

Def pass on mule deer does, good lord the species is under enough pressure, gotta smh that seasons are even allowed.

[Rainier10]

Seeing as mulie does aren't legal til the 16th and the way they are demobbing equipment some areas might open up. Just don't count on any DNR land. Additionally all the does I'm seeing both mulies and WT still have fawns, most still have spots, tagging along and  couple this morning still trying to nurse.

I couldn't believe the number of fawns with spots still that were trying to nurse this weekend.

Fawns will keep spots until they get their winter hair on. Its completely normal for them to be sporting spots this time of year. They will also nurse as long as mom lets them, though not necessary for survival at this point.
It is perfectly normal for them.

Interesting.  I would say 70% of the fawns on my place are without spots already.  I only have one doe with a single fawn.  I have 16-20 does with twins and 2 does with triplets.  The fawns with spots are half the size of the ones without.  All mule deer.  There are no doe tags in my unit but there used to be.  The fawns can certainly make it on their own.  There are plenty of other deer for them to tag along with if something happened to the doe.

[BULLBLASTER]

Seeing as mulie does aren't legal til the 16th and the way they are demobbing equipment some areas might open up. Just don't count on any DNR land. Additionally all the does I'm seeing both mulies and WT still have fawns, most still have spots, tagging along and  couple this morning still trying to nurse.

I couldn't believe the number of fawns with spots still that were trying to nurse this weekend.

Fawns will keep spots until they get their winter hair on. Its completely normal for them to be sporting spots this time of year. They will also nurse as long as mom lets them, though not necessary for survival at this point.
It is perfectly normal for them.

Interesting.  I would say 70% of the fawns on my place are without spots already.  I only have one doe with a single fawn.  I have 16-20 does with twins and 2 does with triplets.  The fawns with spots are half the size of the ones without.  All mule deer.  There are no doe tags in my unit but there used to be.  The fawns can certainly make it on their own.  There are plenty of other deer for them to tag along with if something happened to the doe.

Mule deer must change a bit earlier than the whitetails we have around here. Most all fawns keep spots till mid sept or later.

[Rainier10]

Seeing as mulie does aren't legal til the 16th and the way they are demobbing equipment some areas might open up. Just don't count on any DNR land. Additionally all the does I'm seeing both mulies and WT still have fawns, most still have spots, tagging along and  couple this morning still trying to nurse.

I couldn't believe the number of fawns with spots still that were trying to nurse this weekend.

Fawns will keep spots until they get their winter hair on. Its completely normal for them to be sporting spots this time of year. They will also nurse as long as mom lets them, though not necessary for survival at this point.
It is perfectly normal for them.

Interesting.  I would say 70% of the fawns on my place are without spots already.  I only have one doe with a single fawn.  I have 16-20 does with twins and 2 does with triplets.  The fawns with spots are half the size of the ones without.  All mule deer.  There are no doe tags in my unit but there used to be.  The fawns can certainly make it on their own.  There are plenty of other deer for them to tag along with if something happened to the doe.

Mule deer must change a bit earlier than the whitetails we have around here. Most all fawns keep spots till mid sept or later.

I was wondering if it was a whitetail/mule deer difference or maybe even a weather thing.  Keep their summer(spotted) coat until temps drop and winter kicks in.  Lots of variables.

It is legal to shoot does with fawns or just fawns for that matter if you have an antlerless tag or the general season is antlerless.  It all comes down to ethics and personal choice.  Ethics can change based on the situation in front of you at the time.

[OutHouse]

I was up in the Cedar Creek burn for a few days this weekend. It appears the fires pushed a lot of mule deer to the valley floor. Saw about 20 or so different does within a few square miles. Lots of prints in the ash. Mule deer does is a sensitive issue. Whitetail doe I have no problem with. My bro took a mule deer doe back in 2014 or so and it was the best tasting deer I ever had. I'm not sure if I would harvest a mule doe. Unfortunately, one of the initial mountains that burned up (Sandy Butte) was a complete haven for mule deer does. If I trudge up that mountain (pre-burn) I would run into dozens of them in the thick stuff without even actively looking for them.

If its legal I would never fault a sportsman for filling their tag. Just please be sure she has no fawn which can take a lot of observation time. If she ever bleats out while wondering around, she is looking for her fawn.

[StuckoYota99]

Ya my plan was to stay out of the Methow Valley in general. I figured it would be easier to get information on does versus asking for information on bucks

[hunter399]

Thanks man, but I already used onx and gmu overlay with the current fire areas to rule out gmus and areas I'm famil
iar with.

Well if you have onx ,then you should have no problem finding another spot. No advise needed.
 

[hunter399]

I'm just giving my opinion.....
If it's legal ,put it down . Our WDFW put in Alot time and money into sustainable populations. And there always right.
With that said,I'd do it in a heartbeat muley or whitetail ,fawn or not.
I believe that deer have two breeding times in fall ,early and late ,so a late bread Doe will have fawns with spots later in the year ,early does that got nocked up will have fawns lose spots sooner.
It's all mother nature's plan to insure survival.

[Jingles]

Can not find anything that says cannot shoot does with fawns so guess it is just a matter of conscience and personal ethics. I'm holding off on doe until the "11th hour of the last day because, 1 I know there are both legal mulie bucks and Whitetail bucks in the area and 2 with the number of does I'm seeing it will almost be like shooting fish in a barrel, heck I have 1 doe that shows up within 5 minutes of me refreshing the bait pile and hangs around even when I'm sitting on a log below my stand. Be like shooting a pet almost

[jrebel]

Finding a doe on public land that is open is not hard to do.  If It were me, I wouldn't shoot one unless it is above the road so I didn't have to work to hard for it.  It's legal and they are delicious....so I say whack one if you find one.  For the guys that want to only hunt buck or only whitetail does....to each their own.   

I'm not sure you need someone to give you a location.  Have fun exploring new ground, driving the roads and finding a plump doe to whack.  Heck....you may even get lucky and find a legal buck.  I personally don't care to shoot does that have fawns in tow, but it is legal and they are of the age they will likely survive if you do.  As for spots.....My experience is the mule deer lose their spots much earlier than the whitetail.  They also grow much faster and have significantly larger bodies than the whitetails.  Not sure the spots at this age signify anything more than they are this years fawns.  When winter hits, they will drop their spots and still be small. 

[StuckoYota99]

Yup I don't plan on shooting a doe with a fawn or  a fawn. I want meat and to gain knowledge. I'll venture farther east into omak or Loomis.

[buckcanyonlodge]

Ya my plan was to stay out of the Methow Valley in general. I figured it would be easier to get information on does versus asking for information on bucks

You might want to stay out of North east Wash for whitetail does too. Blue tongue is running rampant up here. Last thing we need is more does killed...it's for our hunting future.
In the town of Colville they have had 83 dead whitetail die of blue tongue as of today at noon. Give them a break.

[hunter399]

Ya my plan was to stay out of the Methow Valley in general. I figured it would be easier to get information on does versus asking for information on bucks

You might want to stay out of North east Wash for whitetail does too. Blue tongue is running rampant up here. Last thing we need is more does killed...it's for our hunting future.
In the town of Colville they have had 83 dead whitetail die of blue tongue as of today at noon. Give them a break.

I believe the only unit open for archery Doe is 101.
Which is a pretty big area,with lots of public land.

[buckcanyonlodge]

Ya my plan was to stay out of the Methow Valley in general. I figured it would be easier to get information on does versus asking for information on bucks

You might want to stay out of North east Wash for whitetail does too. Blue tongue is running rampant up here. Last thing we need is more does killed...it's for our hunting future.
In the town of Colville they have had 83 dead whitetail die of blue tongue as of today at noon. Give them a break.

I believe the only unit open for archery Doe is 101.
Which is a pretty big area,with lots of public land.

And lots of stagnant water holes with blue tongue bugs.

[hunter399]

Ya my plan was to stay out of the Methow Valley in general. I figured it would be easier to get information on does versus asking for information on bucks

You might want to stay out of North east Wash for whitetail does too. Blue tongue is running rampant up here. Last thing we need is more does killed...it's for our hunting future.
In the town of Colville they have had 83 dead whitetail die of blue tongue as of today at noon. Give them a break.

I believe the only unit open for archery Doe is 101.
Which is a pretty big area,with lots of public land.

And lots of stagnant water holes with blue tongue bugs.

NEVER mind I just looked 101 is buck only ,so there is no units open around here. But I don't do archery,so I'm no expert.
Not to get to far off topic......
But I do find it strange Idaho says EHD and Washington says bluetongue.
What do you think?

[StuckoYota99]

Maybe I'll target bucks instead 🤔

[Bob33]

Fawns typically wean about ten weeks after birth and can usually survive on their own after that.

[Remnar]

Fawns typically wean about ten weeks after birth and can usually survive on their own after that.

They can survive but it doesnt help their cause without a doe .

Im not against doe harvest . But in most units I feel it should be late season only . And some not at all .