There’s no evidence they reach an age in which they become barren. If they’re alive in the wild they can and still reproduce. I’ve seen no higher of a percentage of older does without fawns as I have younger ones. There are barren does, but age is not what put them there.

doe trap equals 100 dollars

Thanks MB.

So what are your thoughts on which one is best to take out and why?

I don’t shoot does ,but I encourage my members to not shoot any with fawns for sure.

+1

I stopped thinning does a long time ago due to coyote problem, but when I shoot a doe for the freezer I always try to take the lead spotter doe. They are usually the bigger older one, and with processor fees being ridiculous now it only makes sense to shoot the biggest doe(s).

I dont shoot does with fawns. I also look for a pair of does and pick the biggest (eliminates possibility of a button buck). Also I look for the easiest one to get it and get out of there. Im not shooting a nanny way back where I have to drag her a good ways. You can put yourself in much more enjoyable scenarios.

I ask the question at a QDMA meeting about 15 years ago, "if a big doe and two doe yearlings walk out which one should you shoot", he said "shoot all three". I didn't buy into that statement, and I think I was right.

A doe is a doe. Their ages are not as important in the social structure as bucks. In bow season I typically choose one that appears to not have fawns, or one who’s fawns have lost spots. They’ll be fine if they’ve lost spots. In rifle season I shoot the first one to act like she’s trying to figure me out, or like others have said, the easiest to load.

This, yes. I don't care if it's old or young, has others with it, whatever. But I'll try to pick the largest if possible.

And yes I'll shoot a doe that has yearlings with it. Fawns with spots? No. Anything else is fair game IF the property I'm on needs any of them killed.

I always pick the biggest one in order to get the most meat.

The one that is easiest to load in truck.

If I remember correctly, the oldest doe killed in Al. was 19.5 and had a fawn that year.

Absolutely you were right!! That statement was ridiculous. The old timers used to tell us not to shoot the does because they are what has the bucks. True that.

I usually go for the biggest one unless another blows. I have a longstanding non-negotiable rule of if she blows she dies when it comes to doe killing

Can't remember, been so long since I've seen one.

what i would do when we could kill two a day . drop her then wait till her daughter or sister came back . lol

I wont shoot a doe but if i did she would be the thickest girl in the bunch. Now my wimmins i like thin

Have a buddy who just shot doe #8 or 9 today. All registered. I wonder what is the most registered on game check. Dude is that much of a carnivore and will eat them all. The last 4 in 4 days have been about 120 pound barren does. With long fur absent of milk bag.

What are the ages on those four does, jallen? Does he yank the jawbone to age them?