Sizing a Doe on the Hoof

[OltHunter]

im heading out to the desert unit next weekend for a doe hunt with my buddy.  This will be my first doe hunt in a long time and with the wide open area with not a lot of reference points, i was wondering if any of you have some advice or tips to judge a does size? id rather not shoot a yearling! obviously if there are a couple does together it makes it easier, but what about 1 single deer at 200 yards?

Thanks!

[h20hunter]

Look for a big one next to a little one. Shoot the bigger one of the two.

[Curly]

Look at the face of the doe.  If the nose is short, it is a young deer.......long snout then it is older. 

You will get good after a while with some practice at telling a baby face from an older doe.

[PlateauNDN]

If it looks like you and your family would finish eating her within a couple of weeks hold out until you see a bigger one.  

Curly's idea sounds good.

[400out]

Look for a big one next to a little one. Shoot the bigger one of the two.

But that about sums it up!

[Mike450r]

As was already said,  look at the length of the face,  also the length of the neck and legs as well.

I made the mistake on an antlerless hunt to make a headshot at about 100 yards based on seeing a big set of ears.  Talk about ground shrinkage.  I literally picked it up by all four hooves and carried it like a suitcase.

[724wd]

I made the mistake on an antlerless hunt to make a headshot at about 100 yards based on seeing a big set of ears.  Talk about ground shrinkage.  I literally picked it up by all four hooves and carried it like a suitcase.

man, have i been there!  one year i watched a doe walk behind a rose bush, and when she came out the other side, i whapped her.  then i saw the doe run off, leaving her fawn (November, so no spots, thank god!) laying on the ground where i'd shot her.  you know those bags on the back of a fourwheeler?  slipped her inside, zipped it up and drove her home!      tender?  OMG, the meat was zipping just pulling her hide off!  YUM!   

[400out]

I made the mistake on an antlerless hunt to make a headshot at about 100 yards based on seeing a big set of ears.  Talk about ground shrinkage.  I literally picked it up by all four hooves and carried it like a suitcase.

man, have i been there!  one year i watched a doe walk behind a rose bush, and when she came out the other side, i whapped her.  then i saw the doe run off, leaving her fawn (November, so no spots, thank god!) laying on the ground where i'd shot her.  you know those bags on the back of a fourwheeler?  slipped her inside, zipped it up and drove her home!      tender?  OMG, the meat was zipping just pulling her hide off!  YUM!   

just not enough huh!

[h20hunter]

Doe tastes yummy.

[seth30]

Doe tastes yummy.

[carpsniperg2]

Look at the front of the doe on the brisket. If the skin looks loose or floppy it is going to be a older more mature doe. If it looks real sleak and tight to the chest then it will probably be a younger doe. Best way that I have found so far to tell on a doe on the hoof in the field.

[steen]

Here are a few my girls took.  All good eating, all mulies and all alot of fun for me and I never took the shot!!!!  Three of my girls and each hunt was different.  One passed on a doe with twin fawns, one wanted a buck and changed her mind and took a doe (youth doe tags).  All three girls are passed the youth tags and I'll miss those awesome hunts.  Each daughter was different in her choice, I left it up to them and was proud of all their choices.  I'm missing one daugher's doe on account of I never got a picture with my camera, she didn't want to shoot a doe but Dad made her.

[MHWASH]

Look for a big one next to a little one. Shoot the bigger one of the two.

 Trust me, that doesn't always work.

[Kain]

I like them bite size. 

[wrongway]

make  sure she has no milk on her lips before the shot lol