WT Does. Shoot and eat, or not?

[Redthies]

It seems there is always some debate on whether or not to shoot a doe, and even a certain stigma if you do. I live where there are a ton of WT does, and have even had my crosshairs on one a few days ago, but I let it walk.

I am 100% out there for meat, and have to wonder if my “no women, no kids” mentality is the best way forward? They are open because the WT population is stressing the native mule deer population. I have seen a 10-1 ratio of WT over MD. This is even at altitudes where I have never seen WTs before. The WTs are apparently much more adaptable and are pushing the MDs into ever smaller pockets.

Thoughts? Do I picture a nasty ex gf on the does face and squeeze, or do I follow Leon’s mantra?

[Gateholio]

Eastern hunters stack WT does high. I've spoken to a number of them that say if a guy in their camp won't shoot does then he is not invited back.

I see no problem whatsoever with shooting WT does in BC, hunters will not negatively impact their populations.

[Redthies]

Eastern hunters stack WT does high. I've spoken to a number of them that say if a guy in their camp won't shoot does then he is not invited back.

I see no problem whatsoever with shooting WT does in BC, hunters will not negatively impact their populations.

Thanks Clark! I know you will agree they are the best eating, and food is/was your thing. I also have a friend from Whizzler that hunts the rut near Beaverdell every year, and I will meet up with him this year, so want to save my buck for that hunt. My freezer is low, so I’m leaning towards topping it up early. The deer population in general on the Hwy 33 corridor has been way down, so getting a buck there is a lower odds situation.

[ElectricDyck]

There isn't a lot of meat on a WT doe...hardly worth the gas or time....we killed 8 in one day back when the kootnays had a 2 doe limit...was a lot of cutting for not much meat....if I did it again, Id keep the legs whole and cook them one at a time when we had company.

[Redthies]

There are some big does here, and I have a 3 minute drive to “guns hot”, so not a huge factor. And to be clear, if a nice sized buck walks out, he’s getting it. I’ll hunt grouse or rabbits in November…

[Walking Buffalo]

There isn't a lot of meat on a WT doe...hardly worth the gas or time....we killed 8 in one day back when the kootnays had a 2 doe limit...was a lot of cutting for not much meat....if I did it again, Id keep the legs whole and cook them one at a time when we had company.

How much more meat is there on an average buck compared to a doe?

And this makes a justifiable difference in your economic calculation?


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Redthies,

Quite bluntly, your "no Women" mantra in this situation is completely unfounded and unneeded.

Regarding WT pushing out Mule deer. They do. Mostly because of a greater reproduction capacity, mostly due to the greater number of young of the year does that will reproduce at six months.


Let the misguided guilt go.
Get yourself a WT doe with pleasure.

[Pigfarmer]

I don’t touch them on my farm, having resident does bring in the bucks

[IronNoggin]

If you are not shooting Bambi, whitetail does can be of significant size.
I target on older dry does during the late season archery hunts.
Some of those gals have been heavier than the bucks we take on the same hunt.
And they are most excellent table fare!

Cheers & Straight Shootin'!

[ghost]

I took a doe with my bow Monday night. Freezer was empty, takes pressure of shooting a small buck for consumption. Lots of does in my region,

[lovemywinchester]

The bio's want you to take does. There is now an open season in the Cariboo for WT does. Everyone should take a WT doe. I shot one last week and the chops on the bbq are amazing! Put a cam up anywhere around Kamloops and you will get WT does.

We all complain when the NDP closes the grizz hunt based on "feelings" and not on the advice of bios. Now the bios want you to take does and hunters don't do it because it doesn't feel right?? Follow the science or what's the point?