Post by: dirty24d on September 06, 2012, 12:57:14 PM
for me it's just too dicey to shoot one not knowing if I would be shooting mama or not. But I'm curious what you all would do and or if this has happened to you. it was weird they all hung out for like an hour before I left and none of them so much as even sniffed at the fawn and the fawn just rotated around not clinging to any of them.
Post by: h20hunter on September 06, 2012, 01:01:08 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on September 06, 2012, 01:03:38 PM
If you absolutely want to take that shot and absolutely don't want to orphan a fawn, take the fawn.
Post by: bobcat on September 06, 2012, 01:12:31 PM
Post by: crschralping on September 06, 2012, 01:13:16 PM
Post by: FLIZZ on September 06, 2012, 01:35:53 PM
Post by: mrmoskillz on September 06, 2012, 01:45:08 PM
If I was after a doe, I would have taken the biggest one, and/or the one that provided the best shot opportunity. It's late enough in the year that a fawn should be old enough to survive on its own. That it was already with two other does would help as well. Now if the fawn was an obvious late born fawn, which you could tell if it still had white spots, then I'd pass on the shot because the fawn may still be dependent on its mother for milk.
Quick question for you Bobcat...I had a doe and two big fawns with no spots in my yard the 1st day and past because I want a buck but thought I might shoot her towards end of the season if no buck. My question is do you think the fawns need her to protect them from yotes and such or should they be ok on their own?
Post by: dirty24d on September 06, 2012, 01:45:45 PM
But being that i dont know much about how long they depend on their mother etc it was definitely the right decision for me and it is super early in the season as well.
I agree with you double lung when you said there is no wrong answer, and bobcat good call on the dependancy info.
There are some big blacktail bucks in the area and i'm 2 for 2 in this identical spot so i'm definitely not feeling pressured or like if i have to take the first available shot i see.
Happy Hunting All!
Post by: mrmoskillz on September 06, 2012, 01:51:11 PM
Post by: DoubleJ on September 06, 2012, 01:57:02 PM
Great feedback all around from everyone thanks! For the record the fawn was pretty large and healthy looking, definitely no spots. The fawn was the only one that was acting vigilant to my presence and kind of sleeking around, the other 3 does were like ehhh the guy is wearing a polo, has a cell phone holster, and smells like old spice he aint a threat! lol.
But being that i dont know much about how long they depend on their mother etc it was definitely the right decision for me and it is super early in the season as well.
I agree with you double lung when you said there is no wrong answer, and bobcat good call on the dependancy info.
There are some big blacktail bucks in the area and i'm 2 for 2 in this identical spot so i'm definitely not feeling pressured or like if i have to take the first available shot i see.
Happy Hunting All!
If the fawn was that big, how possible would it be that it was a yearling and momma is actually only a few weeks from kicking the kid to the curb so she can get bred again?
Post by: Kola16 on September 06, 2012, 02:03:58 PM
Great feedback all around from everyone thanks! For the record the fawn was pretty large and healthy looking, definitely no spots. The fawn was the only one that was acting vigilant to my presence and kind of sleeking around, the other 3 does were like ehhh the guy is wearing a polo, has a cell phone holster, and smells like old spice he aint a threat! lol.
But being that i dont know much about how long they depend on their mother etc it was definitely the right decision for me and it is super early in the season as well.
I agree with you double lung when you said there is no wrong answer, and bobcat good call on the dependancy info.
There are some big blacktail bucks in the area and i'm 2 for 2 in this identical spot so i'm definitely not feeling pressured or like if i have to take the first available shot i see.
Happy Hunting All!
If the fawn was that big, how possible would it be that it was a yearling and momma is actually only a few weeks from kicking the kid to the curb so she can get bred again?
:yeah: If it is pretty hard to tell, then all of them will survive on their own, unless of course an arrow gets stuck in them :chuckle: :tup:
Post by: jackmaster on September 06, 2012, 02:14:19 PM
If I was after a doe, I would have taken the biggest one, and/or the one that provided the best shot opportunity. It's late enough in the year that a fawn should be old enough to survive on its own. That it was already with two other does would help as well. Now if the fawn was an obvious late born fawn, which you could tell if it still had white spots, then I'd pass on the shot because the fawn may still be dependent on its mother for milk.:yeah: i am in a spot to where i will never shoot a doe again, i have killed to many bucks in my life to go after a doe, but if your a meat hunter that is the way to go...you got alot of huntn left to be shootn a doe, well unless your short on time..good luck to ya sir
Post by: MatthewHunter98 on September 06, 2012, 04:18:20 PM
Post by: grizzlyadams on September 06, 2012, 09:40:24 PM
Post by: grundy53 on September 06, 2012, 09:45:17 PM
Post by: DoubleJ on September 06, 2012, 09:52:55 PM
At this point in the year the fawns will make it without mom. They are going to be "orphaned" in less then 2 months anyways when mom kicks them to the curb so she can get bred again.
Only if they're yearlings. Fawns born spring of 2012 will not be kicked to the curb and most likely not survive the winter without a mother.
Post by: DoubleJ on September 06, 2012, 09:53:39 PM
all archery people just shoot the first deer they see, why cant you guys just post poen the does uuntill it is coming down the the last day. your killing the baby makers. i would shoot does right off the star of the season
Um, no. Not all archery people shoot the first deer they see
Post by: mrmoskillz on September 07, 2012, 06:46:32 AM
all archery people just shoot the first deer they see, why cant you guys just post poen the does uuntill it is coming down the the last day. your killing the baby makers. i would shoot does right off the star of the season
Um, no. Not all archery people shoot the first deer they see
I past on another doe this morning...hoping she baits in a big buck later this season. She had no fawns and looked tasty but I want a big buck.
Post by: bagmNtagm on September 07, 2012, 04:31:50 PM
Post by: Stick em on September 07, 2012, 04:50:33 PM
...So instead of dwelling on the fact i didnt shoot the deer actually felt more like i made the mature decision of not being sure and waiting a few seconds to see if it was the right doe to shootI would have let it walk too. Lots of good advice on this board but I think as long as you made a mature decision to be ethical and not just shoot because it was there, you made the right choice. When in doubt, let it walk. There's plenty of deer to pick from. I'm a meat hunter and love to fill my freezer early. But I still pass on deer because of my ethics. The conditions have to be just right to kill an animal with the respect it deserves. I always go home feeling good about the hunt that way.
Post by: Eli346 on September 07, 2012, 05:10:08 PM
Post by: DoubleJ on September 07, 2012, 06:18:28 PM
It's been said that another doe will pick up an orphaned fawn but I really don't know for sure. Seems likely to me as the mother instinct is pretty strong.
Elk cows will pick up an orphaned calf. They are herd animals. A doe will more than likely not pick up an orphaned fawn. It may happen but not as a general rule.
Post by: Kioti on September 08, 2012, 08:21:06 AM
Post by: snowshoes22 on September 08, 2012, 08:53:25 AM