Any shame in taking a doe?

[SpokaneSlayer]

I just wanted to get some opinions on this.  I'm still looking to tag my first deer, and not sjust my first bow kill.  First deer...ever.  I've hunted my butt off again this year, and while I have had some success as in seeing more deer, getting better at stalking, and getting a shot at a very unique muley buck, with the season kind of winding down I'm not opposed to taking a doe now that muley does are legal.  This is my 4th season deer hunting and my 2nd season bow hunting.  I guess I'm just getting frustrated.  All this time and money, and nothing to show for it.  What are your guys take?

[Machias]

No shame what so ever.  I wouldn't recommend it up in the NE part of the state just because they need all the does they can keep to help the herd rebound but down here in 130 and such I have seen LOTS of mulies and plenty of whitetails!

[tazz]

definatly no shame a trophy is a trophy and your first bow kill no matter what it is will be a trophy and you will always remember it plus it is meat in the freezer so good luck and have fun.

[CP]

Nope, no shame at all.   Doe is fine eating.

[boneaddict]

Not at all.

[lostcat]

My dad always said " you cant eat those antlers so shoot that b****"

[huntress4203]

No shame at all.  Would rather have a doe in the freezer than a buck.  I'll leave the trophies up to my husband.  

                                   Glo

[colockumelk]

Any animal with a bow is a trophy.  That doe you take with a bow is way bigger trophy than most bucks taken with a rifle IMHO. 

[KimberRich]

Hell no!!! Got to keep the herd balanced!  

[dbllunger]

What ever floats your boat.  If after you kill one you have a pang of regret then you and only you can determine if you want to kill another one.  We need more people willing to kill does, or a lot more B tags to help balance the population.

[Curly]

Not at all.

I used to put in for doe permits every year.  I drew 5 years in a row for an area that I pheasant hunt.  I would go pheasant hunting and then go shoot an easy doe for meat in the freezer and not have to put in much effort to get deer.  I liked pheasant hunting more than deer hunting but I liked to have a freezer full of venison, so it worked out great.

[MagKarl]

Absolutely not in my book.  A great hunt in my mind is one where you played your cards right and took advantage of a good opportunity and turned that into a clean quick kill that resulted in meat tagged.  The only way I'd feel shame is if one of those things was missing, if I took a low % shot, wounded or lost an animal, then I'd be ashamed of my behavior.  Maybe someday I'll have the skills to be picky about antlers, but until then I'll continue to take those opportunities that are high % shots on good healthy legal animals.  You have to start somewhere and shooting does and cows will allow you to learn faster than holding out for a buck or bull in my opinion.  Shot evaluation, tracking/trailing, field dressing, packing, butchering, those are all hunting skills too that you aren't getting to practice if you're not filling your tag.     

[passing-thru]

No shame at all..As stated several time there better eating anyway..Meat in freezer is better then horns on wall anyway..My dad always said he had never been able to boil horns long enough to make then edible ..LOL..Taking does keeps a balance in over populated areas and improves heard anyway..If you have decent shot take it my friend

[Dipsnort]

I'll tell you what would definitely be a shame.  Spending years not filling your tag because you have wrapped up your pride in the need to take a big buck.  Sure, we all want to display a nice trophy on the wall to admire for years but if you can place your ego aside, I say go ahead and arrow a doe and enjoy the meat.

[MagKarl]

I'll tell you what would definitely be a shame.  Spending years not filling your tag because you have wrapped up your pride in the need to take a big buck.  Sure, we all want to display a nice trophy on the wall to admire for years but if you can place your ego aside, I say go ahead and arrow a doe and enjoy the meat.

Excellent point.  No doubt there are some outstanding hunters sharing stories and pics on this site, but you can't expect to have that kind of success without a ton of experience.  If you want to compare yourself to others and bring pride into the choice, then compare yourself to the general hunting population that eats most if not all of there tags on a yearly basis and take great pride in harvesting a delicious doe.  You should feel proud that you beat the odds and put food on the table.  Good luck.