Conserving Does... Is It In Vain?

[Hortontoter]

I'm not trying to bust anyones chops, just thinking out loud. So don't hate me for what I say.

Many of us gripe about herd numbers and some of us try to do our part to conserve the does. I rarely shoot does, I've shot one in 6 or 7 years. But, I'm thinking I'm just wasting my time trying to help the herd when others feel they need a freezer full of venison. Seems more and more people hunt over bait than ever before and what they spend it bait would possibly buy as much meat as a deer provides. But, that's another post someday.

What got me to thinking is this. I told my stepson he could shoot one doe at my place, but not before gun season. I thought this was not being unreasonable until yesterday. I have some guys that hunt an adjacent property that they have leased. They hail from the New England area. I've never really had an issue with non residents coming to Ohio to hunt. I do have an issue with what Ohio only asks them to pay for licenses and tags though.

Well I stopped at their lease yesterday after my morning hunt. They had arrived on Sunday and had already taken two does. Good for them on one hand, but kind of a kick in the butt for me and my stepson. I'm sure these same does travel my property from time to time and I've probably given them the pass a time or two in the past. And, I even told my stepson to let them walk until gun season and then only take one. I feel like I'm just living in fantasy land by thinking I'm helping the herd in any way. I'm just letting hunters that have a different mindset have all the fun.

Am I on the right track here, or should I stick to my evidently unreasonable philosophy.

 

[Bigslam51]

The only thing you can do is give the does a pass if they are getting hammered on neighboring properties. Those guys are hunting the same deer as you are, that's the shitty thing about hunting a small piece of ground. I on the other hand don't have a shortage of does on the main farm I hunt, in fact I think there are too many and a few need taken out. It all depends on where you hunt, not everybody has a shortage of does.

But there are a couple places I hunt that I won't kill does on.

 

[Big_Holla]

Dick I have been told point blank by neighbors down there that they fill the freezer with however many tags the ODNR feels they can have. Does that mean I need to start shooting them when I see them too? Not at all as it has to start somewhere. I like to think that does should feel safe on our place and that they can retreat to it when the shooting starts on the others. You have to stand for something even if it feels like you are the only one sometimes.

 

[hickslawns]

You are absolutely correct Dick. I feel the same way at times. One day I feel I should let them walk. The next day I wonder if I am the only one around doing so. I deal with it by selectively taking does. If I need a doe for the freezer, I will only take one in areas I see plenty of them.

 

[PA Bandit]

Just think of it as a means of conserving one doe's life....might not be the one you pass up as it may get shot later in the season but when he fills his tag on that one that is one less tag he has to fill on another. I make the choice to not shoot doe as well...... does it have an influence who knows but in the grand scheme of things I think for as many guys out there who love to slaughter deer there are just as many that would love to see a rebounding population (maybe I am just being optimistic though)

 

[Hortontoter]

I will probably not change my stance on killing does. My only question is am I short changing my stepson. Or am I trying to shove my ideas down his throat. I know if I gave him the green light he would shoot as many deer as the law allows. I know one guy can't make a big change, but I guess for now I'll let the does walk and do what I can to help the cause.

 

[bowhunter1023]

It's your place Dick, so they are your rules. Do what you think is best. I've asked my buddy not to kill does on our farm from the day he stepped foot on there and he understands why. We don't shoot them on our farm because all the neighbors do. I have other places to fill the freezer, so the farm is off limits. I think you are doing the right thing. If your stepson needs meat, he can find another place to shoot does if he needs it that bad. Just my opinion.

 

[Dmiller6868]

They can't and WON'T kill them all. Trust me, I've been in your shoes.

Provide as much food, water and cover on your property as you can and the deer won't have a reason to leave. Even on small tracts, it can be very effective.

 

[Hortontoter]

They can't and WON'T kill them all. Trust me, I've been in your shoes.

Provide as much food, water and cover on your property as you can and the deer won't have a reason to leave. Even on small tracts, it can be very effective.

I bet the majority of hunters in PA thought this way 20 or so years ago. Your right they didn't kill them all, but a ton of damage was done to that herd.

 

[PA Bandit]

I bet the majority of hunters in PA thought this way 20 or so years ago. Your right they didn't kill them all, but a ton of damage was done to that herd.

^The Gary Alt Theory.....demise of PA's deer herd. Who in the right mind thought expanding doe season from 3 days to 2 weeks handing out basically unlimited tags in WMU's is considered "deer management" baffles me. I remember the first year or two guys bragging about having 5-6 doe tags and watching 13 does be hauled out of the clear cut I was hunting in the first day of rifle. My personal opinion was he was paid out by auto insurance companies or something.

 

[Buckmaster]

Conserve! Name says it all. That way you'll have more tomorrow.

 

[Bigcountry40]

There are a lot hunters out there that will use every tag the state allows them, I do not kill multiple does on a property or area . But I do understand why some people kill a couple of does. I would like to see the state to go back to a 1 deer limit state wide.

 

[giles]

Did you try explaining your thoughts with them? And why? Being that they don't live around there, they might not see the big picture.

 

[MK111]

Like has been said already 'it's your place and your rules' like or leave it. That's how it's handled on my farm 'I own it and that's my rules'. Some of my rules are not liked by all but not broken. If they don't understand a rule, I explain it and if they still disagree it's just tough. And it's tough at times.
I won't comment on passing on deer and the neighbor shoots them or too many. It's a lost argument.

 

[finelyshedded]

it's your place dick, so they are your rules. Do what you think is best. I've asked my buddy not to kill does on our farm from the day he stepped foot on there and he understands why. We don't shoot them on our farm because all the neighbors do. I have other places to fill the freezer, so the farm is off limits. I think you are doing the right thing. If your stepson needs meat, he can find another place to shoot does if he needs it that bad. Just my opinion.

word

 

[Big_Holla]

I will probably not change my stance on killing does. My only question is am I short changing my stepson. Or am I trying to shove my ideas down his throat. I know if I gave him the green light he would shoot as many deer as the law allows. I know one guy can't make a big change, but I guess for now I'll let the does walk and do what I can to help the cause.

Good question on your stepson. Perhaps he's the only reason you allow someone (him) to shoot a doe or two, to keep his interest if need be til he begins to understand how important NOT shooting does can be. If you are explaining why you feel the need for yourself to pass on them I would imagine he will start to understand, especially if he is sitting there not seeing deer.

 

[giles]

Good question on your stepson. Perhaps he's the only reason you allow someone (him) to shoot a doe or two, to keep his interest if need be til he begins to understand how important NOT shooting does can be. If you are explaining why you feel the need for yourself to pass on them I would imagine he will start to understand, especially if he is sitting there not seeing deer.

There it is again "explaining". Educating people on your plans and thoughts could open ones eyes. Even if they don't agree with you today.

It wasn't long ago that I shot at every deer that came by me. Why? Because I didn't know any better. I had lived in Alaska for 10 years and came to Ohio to hunt 2 weeks out of the year. I had no clue what had been going on back here at home. I was still seeing deer and having a great time shooting 5+ doe a year. I was having so much fun that I didn't even realize that I was seeing less and less deer every year. I chalked it up to bad weather/bad day/bad anything besides the deer herd. It wasn't until a couple of years ago I joined a web board and was reading about it. That was a real eye opener for me and I started to educate myself as much as I could on the subject. But it all started with someone else sharing their thoughts on the subject…

 

[reo]

In vain? How could it be? Even if half the does in your area get wacked the one you let walk has a 50/50 chance of living and dropping 2 fawns next spring. If you let the air out of her she will have a zero % chance. I don't even take them on public even though some folks use public as the place where taking does is of no concern, IMO, conservation is most important where it is practiced least.

 

[Dannmann801]

Dick I have been told point blank by neighbors down there that they fill the freezer with however many tags the ODNR feels they can have. Does that mean I need to start shooting them when I see them too? Not at all as it has to start somewhere. I like to think that does should feel safe on our place and that they can retreat to it when the shooting starts on the others. You have to stand for something even if it feels like you are the only one sometimes.

This is a good post :smiley_coolpeace:

 

[Big_Holla]

The one thing I think we should be doing a better job of on our place is talking with the neighbors a little more often. If we tell them we are seeing less does and are choosing not to shoot any and we keep saying that year after year (if true of course) then eventually...maybe....just maybe they will start buying into it.