Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2007
- Messages
- 13,146
Yesterday a doe came in with two fawns, and I tried to shoot the fawn, but my arrow missed cleanly. 
at myself for that. But better than a wounding, that's for sure.
Anyhow, I'm having an argument with a friend.
I say, shoot the fawn because:
1. The mama doe can help the fawns survive a coyote attack,
2. The mama doe can still help them with other survival skills - finding good food to fatten up for the winter, perhaps keep them clear of roadways (??), etc., so it's *arguably* cruel to shoot the doe, and
3. The mama doe is a proven breeder (especially if she has two fawns), whereas one of the fawns may not be able to breed when they come of age, so you're trading a bird in the hand for one in the bush.
My buddy says no, you shoot the doe because:
1. You remove a doe, which is good when the ratio is out of whack (as it is here), and
2. One or both of those fawns may be button bucks, so you don't want to remove a young buck, but let him grow - again, for ratio/management, and
3. You get more meat obviously, from the doe.
I guess it comes down to how many coyotes and other predators you have, what the total population is like, and what your ratio is like. If you want to reduce the population and/or improve the number of bucks to does, then the 2nd school of thought would apply; whereas if you are trying to increase your population, and/or have a good buck to doe ratio already, then the 1st school of thought should be followed....comments?
I have no doubt that those fawns will *probably* survive to maturity without their mama, but how likely exactly? I guess it also depends upon how harsh your winters are.
P.S. If this was gun or ML, I wouldn't shoot either, but during archery, I take every chance I can get (which are few and far between).
at myself for that. But better than a wounding, that's for sure.Anyhow, I'm having an argument with a friend.
I say, shoot the fawn because:
1. The mama doe can help the fawns survive a coyote attack,
2. The mama doe can still help them with other survival skills - finding good food to fatten up for the winter, perhaps keep them clear of roadways (??), etc., so it's *arguably* cruel to shoot the doe, and
3. The mama doe is a proven breeder (especially if she has two fawns), whereas one of the fawns may not be able to breed when they come of age, so you're trading a bird in the hand for one in the bush.
My buddy says no, you shoot the doe because:
1. You remove a doe, which is good when the ratio is out of whack (as it is here), and
2. One or both of those fawns may be button bucks, so you don't want to remove a young buck, but let him grow - again, for ratio/management, and
3. You get more meat obviously, from the doe.
I guess it comes down to how many coyotes and other predators you have, what the total population is like, and what your ratio is like. If you want to reduce the population and/or improve the number of bucks to does, then the 2nd school of thought would apply; whereas if you are trying to increase your population, and/or have a good buck to doe ratio already, then the 1st school of thought should be followed....comments?
I have no doubt that those fawns will *probably* survive to maturity without their mama, but how likely exactly? I guess it also depends upon how harsh your winters are.
P.S. If this was gun or ML, I wouldn't shoot either, but during archery, I take every chance I can get (which are few and far between).
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