Post by: SpokaneSlayer on September 17, 2009, 08:00:50 AM
Post by: Machias on September 17, 2009, 08:04:02 AM
Post by: tazz on September 17, 2009, 08:13:25 AM
Post by: CP on September 17, 2009, 08:16:50 AM
Post by: boneaddict on September 17, 2009, 08:19:25 AM
Post by: lostcat on September 17, 2009, 08:20:31 AM
Post by: huntress4203 on September 17, 2009, 08:20:55 AM
Glo
Post by: colockumelk on September 17, 2009, 08:21:44 AM
Post by: KimberRich on September 17, 2009, 08:25:50 AM
Post by: dbllunger on September 17, 2009, 08:38:07 AM
Post by: Curly on September 17, 2009, 08:41:50 AM
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.
Post by: MagKarl on September 17, 2009, 09:20:07 AM
Post by: passing-thru on September 17, 2009, 09:56:58 AM
Post by: Dipsnort on September 17, 2009, 10:22:46 AM
Post by: MagKarl on September 17, 2009, 10:36:32 AM
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.
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2009, 10:54:59 AM
If you do kill a doe, you wont be left with antlers to mount, but you can send the hide off to WB Place in Wisconsin and have it tanned into leather. I will keep mine forever and its something I can pass to my heirs. Packs, stores, and moves easier than an antlermount, LOL.
Post by: mossback91 on September 17, 2009, 11:10:39 AM
Post by: rezboy on September 17, 2009, 11:12:28 AM
Post by: croix on September 17, 2009, 11:21:31 AM
I don't necessarily whack the first doe I see, especially if I know that I will have other opportunities, but I would absolutely take doe and hold my head high. Besides, I don't care how many vegetable you put in it, tag soup still sucks.
Post by: 10Key on September 17, 2009, 11:31:05 AM
Post by: Whitenuckles on September 17, 2009, 11:42:18 AM
Post by: deaddog on September 17, 2009, 11:46:31 AM
Post by: AKBowman on September 17, 2009, 12:02:27 PM
Post by: halflife65 on September 17, 2009, 12:10:45 PM
:yeah: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.
Post by: halflife65 on September 17, 2009, 12:16:27 PM
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.
I shoot a buck (I've only shot one doe in my life) about every year and, after the initial rush, always feel something of a pain of regret. I feel like it keeps me honest and ethical and reminds me that a piece of meat isn't just something you get at a grocery store. I think that I have a little more respect than someone that goes down and just buys a pork chop without thinking about where it came from...
When I shot the doe I didn't necessarily feel more of a pang of regret than I would have normally. It was legal, it was a tag given for management purposes and, presumably, it helped to get the deer population more in line with buck:doe management ratios.
Post by: adam.WI on September 17, 2009, 12:25:00 PM
Post by: elkoholic1 on September 17, 2009, 12:50:44 PM
Post by: HuntingFanatic on September 17, 2009, 01:13:24 PM
Post by: Buckmark on September 17, 2009, 01:15:52 PM
If you hunt for antlers or even a "trophy" then you have to be prepared to not fill your tag, that comes with the territory, if your hunting to put some venison in the freezer then any legal animal should be the goal, and a filled tag is success.
The statement about hunting for 4years and wasting the time is not really true, i'm sure you have learned alot and seen alot that you dont even realize it.
Success should not be measured only in filling your tag, if it is then your missing the point.
If the need to fill the tag will make you a better hunter then do it, fill the freezer, tan the hide and get the experience of gutting, skinning processing etc.
Then next year focus on antlers.
Every year i hunt differently, if the freezer is empty then the first deer goes down, if not then antlers, and i pass on those years just to fill my tag, those years i take a camera along and get pics of the deer that could have been, thats fun also.. Video camera is also lots of fun..
Nothing like having some Nice mule deer bucks at 20yds or less in the late hunt whe only Whitetails are legal, and saying out loud to them "where were you a month ago?"
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on September 17, 2009, 02:58:49 PM
-Steve
Post by: bearpaw on September 17, 2009, 03:09:57 PM
I think this stigma that hunting is all about trophy hunting in many ways ruins the sport, hunting is also about family time, getting away from everyday life, and putting meat on the table.
Good luck hunting..... ;)
Post by: MtnMuley on September 17, 2009, 04:24:16 PM
Post by: Machias on September 17, 2009, 06:27:05 PM
SpokaneSlayer I shoot them myself, sometimes in two or three states per year. I love venison and does are usually better than bucks.
I think this stigma that hunting is all about trophy hunting in many ways ruins the sport, hunting is also about family time, getting away from everyday life, and putting meat on the table.
Good luck hunting..... ;)
BIG Amen!!
Post by: chrisb on September 17, 2009, 08:47:39 PM
Post by: shoot-em-dead on September 17, 2009, 09:13:27 PM
Post by: mossback91 on September 17, 2009, 10:06:54 PM
40 yards double lunged and meat in my freezer.....my first archery season..........chased alot of bucks...but still not ashamed to end it with some backstraps
Post by: Ray on September 17, 2009, 10:08:03 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 17, 2009, 10:08:28 PM
Post by: SHANE(WA) on September 17, 2009, 10:28:56 PM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on September 17, 2009, 10:36:29 PM
Post by: alecvg on September 17, 2009, 10:38:44 PM
Post by: Northwest75 on September 17, 2009, 11:08:30 PM
Post by: RustneckNW on September 18, 2009, 12:06:38 AM
I hunt with the intent of killing the first legal animal I can, whether it's a doe or a big buck, and it's worked pretty well so far. Many does, one 6x6 whitetail!
Post by: ladyelkslayer on September 18, 2009, 08:17:56 AM
Post by: Hornseeker on September 18, 2009, 01:27:14 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2FDOE%2F1st.jpg&hash=50cd0e5d0b30e8c1da6bc66c3f521a6ea360c2f2)
Post by: CoryTDF on September 18, 2009, 01:47:48 PM
Post by: ing on September 18, 2009, 01:53:47 PM
Post by: wastickslinger on September 18, 2009, 02:56:21 PM
Post by: Gutpile on September 18, 2009, 03:04:16 PM
Oops just noticed this was bowhunting. Sorry. Answer still applies, no shame.
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on September 18, 2009, 03:35:23 PM
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?
It is meat on the table, NO SHAME what so ever, I have a multi season deer tag, if towards the end it is not filled then the does better duck!!!!!!!
Post by: shoot-em-dead on September 18, 2009, 06:48:40 PM
Not for me. I love getting doe tags. I slow things down and like to use different guns. Pistols/open sights/ etc etc. The only thing I don't like about shooting does is that they're so small. People like Rasbo like does because there's no taxidermy charges. He just mounts them in the field. :yike:
Doesn't he know it just aint right to mount a doe.
Post by: Gutpile on September 18, 2009, 06:51:45 PM
Not for me. I love getting doe tags. I slow things down and like to use different guns. Pistols/open sights/ etc etc. The only thing I don't like about shooting does is that they're so small. People like Rasbo like does because there's no taxidermy charges. He just mounts them in the field. :yike:
Doesn't he know it just aint right to mount a doe.
Well, it is Rasbo we're talking about.
Post by: NWBREW on September 18, 2009, 06:59:09 PM
SHOOT THE DOE....SHOOT THE DOE :chuckle: :cue: THIN THE HERD AND PUT SOME ON THE BARBE..You can always try to improve next year if it means that much. myself I would have no problem shooting a doe.
Post by: ICEMAN on September 19, 2009, 05:54:10 AM
Post by: Tom Tamer on September 19, 2009, 08:43:29 PM
No shame in having your own personal standards in hunting. :twocents:
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on September 19, 2009, 09:18:53 PM
PICTURES!!!!!!!!
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on September 19, 2009, 09:22:45 PM
Post by: PolarBear on September 19, 2009, 09:48:59 PM
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on September 19, 2009, 10:13:38 PM
I guess I'll be the dick of this thread. I have never and will never, nor will my kids, shoot a doe. It is fine for other folks if that is what you are in to but just not for me. I do wish they would reduce the number of doe tags.
Why? Taking less does will equal either unhealthy deer and/ or less bucks in the herd due to lower fawning rates from reduced forage. The number one killer of deer in high density populations is not man, it's diseases like CWD, blue tongue and louse that are ONLY transmitted from animal to animal directly or indirectly and can wipe out whole herds. I've never shot a doe, but do understand the need to balance the herd, some units in the State have buck to doe ratio's under 10 bucks per 100 does, that's beyond terrible and reducing doe tags in those units could be devastating. You'd initially see an increase in deer, followed by a huge crash from disease, and/ or big winterkills. Someone mentioned the LT Murray area, this is exactly what has happened in that area leading to a big reduction in tags. Winterkill and louse decimated that herd that was already mostly comprised of does.
Post by: PolarBear on September 20, 2009, 05:45:08 AM
I realize that it is important in certain situations to balance the population by eliminating a certain number of does. I have no problem with that when it is actually needed. I do, however feel that the WDFW issues far too many doe permits in certain units just for the sake of revenue, 667 is one of them. I personally won't shoot a doe or any animal just to fill a tag or, as is repeated over and over, "to fill the freezer". As I have said time and again, I raise my own beef so I don't have the "need" to shoot any critter for meat, especially a doe. I also see 0 challenge in shooting does and the challenge and thrill is why I hunt, not to fill a tag or freezer. Most of my friends who are the "I need the meat" hunters spend many times more in fuel, time off from work, lodging, grub, equipment etc, out hunting for less than 100 pounds of meat than I can raise 700 pounds of prime beef for. For instance, my cousin is always bitching about needing to get a deer and elk for meat for the year. He hunts Washington, Idaho and Montana every year for "meat". Each year he spends thousands of dollars in tags, fuel etc and usually gets one deer a year, usually within 1/2 mile from his house during late season, usually a tiny doe and about every third year he gets an elk. I offer to raise beef for him for only what it costs me for feed (not the cost of the steer) and he still will not do it. For what he spends to go hunting every year he could have 3,000+ pounds of beef or better. Maybe I'm too practical but I don't see the logic in that. The majority of the "meat hunting" folks that I know are exactly the same way. This leads me to believe that it is ego and not need that drives them and not necessity. Bottom line, I don't care if someone likes to shoot does. If that is what turns you on more power to ya but I think that for most that it really isn't about the meat.
Post by: ICEMAN on September 20, 2009, 05:55:54 AM
I see your point on too many tags....I too want to see herd numbers increase and shooting the does or cows doesn't seem to help this desire. But, I have done it, and hope my kids score on some white tailed does this year in one of the youth areas... :dunno:
Personally, I think that hunters are a bit more in touch with the primal urge to hunt, and just getting an animal helps soothe that urge. The hunt is what is important, not the cost effectiveness of putting meat in the locker. We just use that as an excuse....
Post by: ICEMAN on September 20, 2009, 05:57:16 AM
Post by: PolarBear on September 20, 2009, 09:21:18 AM
Post by: ecnclan on September 20, 2009, 09:30:36 AM
Post by: konrad on September 20, 2009, 09:48:54 AM
Konrad says, the freezer won’t know if it had horns or not.
I believe Fred Bear said something about taking game, no matter what sex, is good experience and will make a better hunter.
Post by: mossback91 on September 20, 2009, 10:06:04 AM
Ice, I get that. Like I said, it is fine for others but it is just not my thing. I guess that I look at it from a livestock point of view that you need more mommas to make more babies. Some areas in this state do not need to have mommas taken out of the pool some do. I don't care if a guy wants to go out and provide for his family, thats great, I just get tired of hearing that they "have to get meat" while wasting thousands to do it. Just admit that you want to be out hunting for as long as you can or shoot the first legal critter and go home. It costs me a bunch of cash to hunt every year as well but I do it for the thrill and the feeling of being in the woods and I don't whine about it the whole time.
What happens when you get too many Cows for your bull?!?! and you keep butchering eveyrone of your bull calves???Half your cows are not gonna get bred and your still gonna be feeding them for no reason. At one point your gonna have to get rid of some cows or not butcher a bull........
Sort of a same sense with does and bucks...........keep adding does but killing the bucks..........not all the does will even get bred and have a baby but will still be eating all the feed.........
Post by: PolarBear on September 20, 2009, 10:16:52 AM
Post by: mossback91 on September 20, 2009, 10:24:11 AM
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on September 20, 2009, 10:30:57 AM
Post by: PolarBear on September 20, 2009, 01:35:13 PM
In some timber units you don't know what you get in your game. Pelletized fertilizers used on tree farms (Simpson, Weyerhaeuser, Port Blakely etc) wind up in all of the critters in that area. I've actually been hunting on Simpson land above Wynoochie and had a helicopter drop pelletized fertilizer on me like hail. Most folks who hunt those areas have no idea when or what has been used for fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide.
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on September 20, 2009, 05:59:03 PM
Post by: coachcw on September 20, 2009, 07:56:28 PM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on September 21, 2009, 08:57:28 AM
Post by: saylean on September 21, 2009, 09:13:51 AM
I took a white tail doe last year (special draw tag, and yes I used my points on it) with my bow opening day of modern firearm and it was THE BEST deer meat I have ever had. She fed us for quite a while.
I drew again this year and am going to try and get one shortly. It was absolutely a kick in the pants. That deer was under 5 yards, tons of other deer around it (bucks) and was thrilling as it gets for me. Although the hike was easy, the actual deed of getting that close to those animals and having them stick around for a shot was tough.
I will apply for that tag as long as I can and sleep well on my bear rug and bunny fur slippers.
Post by: h2ofowlr on September 21, 2009, 04:35:44 PM
Post by: Buckmark on September 21, 2009, 04:51:47 PM
Post by: rooselk on September 21, 2009, 09:09:50 PM
your first kill will always be a trophy and a good memeroy, dosnt matter what the sex, or size, stick with it and youll get-R-done...
I agee with that 100%. My first deer was a doe and I still look back in fondness to that hunt. Besides, I'm of the opinion that getting that first animal is what's really important. It will give the confidence and encouragement to continue hunting.
Post by: h2ofowlr on September 21, 2009, 10:41:17 PM
Post by: LongTatLaw on September 27, 2009, 06:25:37 PM
Ive killed more does with a bow in the past decade than most hunters on here have killed deer in the last 30 years (I cheated...here ya get one deer a year...in Georgia ya get 2 bucks and 10 does a year)...
I get more nervous bow hunting with a 20 yard shot at a 90 lb doe than a great buck at 200 yards and a 300 win mag!!!
and first deer?
hell...shoot a doe and then put her on the wall because thats a trophy bro!
my :twocents: ;)
Post by: NWBREW on September 27, 2009, 07:18:39 PM
Remember back when you could trade in your buck tag for 2 whitetail doe tags, or when the weekend of the late rifle hunt was any deer, we called it doe day..
Holy cow.....How long ago was that? Was that in this state or was it still a territory? :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: ICEMAN on September 27, 2009, 07:24:56 PM
Post by: robb92 on September 28, 2009, 12:10:02 PM
Brother...
Ive killed more does with a bow in the past decade than most hunters on here have killed deer in the last 30 years (I cheated...here ya get one deer a year...in Georgia ya get 2 bucks and 10 does a year)...
my :twocents: ;)
Same for me, unlimited does in the area I hunt, the rest of Southern maryland is 10 does and 2 bucks for archery, 10 & 2 for muzzleloader and 10 &2 for shotgun. Go for it, you will remeber it for the rest of your life.
Post by: Buckmark on September 28, 2009, 12:32:44 PM
Remember back when you could trade in your buck tag for 2 whitetail doe tags, or when the weekend of the late rifle hunt was any deer, we called it doe day..
Holy cow.....How long ago was that? Was that in this state or was it still a territory? :chuckle: :chuckle:
Seems like a long, long, time ago, Like Iceman said late 70's in western Wa, as a kid we loved it, that last weekend was like another opening day if we still had a tag. And the whitatail doe tags were from if i remember 1989 to like 1992?
Post by: Curly on September 28, 2009, 12:43:13 PM
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on September 28, 2009, 12:51:55 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on October 20, 2009, 02:48:07 PM
cant pass up a good doe tag for meat in the freezer
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 20, 2009, 02:52:23 PM
Post by: rasbo on October 20, 2009, 02:56:37 PM