I think it has a lot to do with the existence of strategic locations that give the deer an advantage over us that we just about can’t beat
= the "Bankhead Effect"
I tend to think old does are smarter/more wary due to more interactions with people & opportunities to be educated.
I would speculate that the chances of a buck living to 5 without being in the same field/presence of other deer being shot is high. If he would've been there, he would've been shot (or shot at) instead.
A 5yr old doe on the other hand, would likely have witnessed human caused death multiple times... and she has learned from each of them.
I would think that CNCs experience with the old deer and the street light is more evidence that a buck with an aversion for non-natural light will help him live longer than one who isn't light sensitive. Flashlights, spotlights, and headlights will get him killed.
*** Side note, I'd love to see folks taking a stab at aging does on the hoof like they do bucks. I'd imagine most doe "aging" comes at guesses based off of hair color around face.
