It was once common to hear that if
you want to manage your property
for better deer hunting and bigger
bucks that you shouldn’t shoot any
does. As most of hunters now know,
that just is not true in most cases. In
most areas of the country, if you
want a healthy deer herd and a deer
herd that allows bucks to reach their
full potential, then usually you need
to harvest at least a few does.
Most hunters are aware of this and know
they need to harvest does to help improve
their property. However, just knowing you
need to shoot does and implementing a
system that allows you to do it in a way
that is effective and meets the proper herd
balance are two totally different things.
For most this is where things get a little
fuzzy. How many does should I shoot,
which does, and when to shoot are common questions. These are great questions and questions that every landowner
should ask. Most of the time you should
reevaluate each of them every year. All
three are equally important, but for now
we are going to talk about how many does to shoot and
leave the last two for another day.
Whether it is show calves, race horses or deer, the female
plays a huge role in the genetics of the offspring. Some
studies show that they may have a bigger role than we previously thought. Does influence the male deer in the population in many ways. From raising the young bucks, to
competing with them for food a few months later, does play
an important role on your property. Equal weight should be
given to both bucks and does.
have to shoot as many does as you think. Take the time to
notice the small things, such as how much woody browse
is being consumed and use that to help you make your decision.
After looking at the woody browse pressure, it is now time
to look at the food plots you planted or the nearest agricultural field. Food plots are a great indicator of how many
does you should shoot on your land. As mentioned earlier
food is important for whitetails this time of the year. Just as
with woody browse pressure, look at your food plots. How
much of the crop is still available to the deer. Is it down to
Figuring out how many does to shoot is a great off season dirt or is there still plenty of green left. If you have nothing
project and really doesn’t take much time and just a little
but dirt you need to look at shooting more does or planting
effort. As you start to look at how many does to harvest
more food. Actually, you should probably do both. A good
the first thing to do is to put boots on the ground on your
rule of thumb is that you should have at least 10% of your
property and figure out if you even need to harvest does
next fall. As with scouting or any habitat improvement, get- food plots left over in the spring. This means the deer had
ting out into the woods is always best. As you do your post plenty to eat and you are not wasting money on creating
season scouting in February or January take the time to do another food plot that is not needed.
a little bit more specific looking around. As you are looking
for travel routes and bedding areas take time to look at the So, once you have surveyed the available food on your
habitat conditions. For d