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.

[HarryToolips]

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.

I thought you live in R4? Because you can shoot a WT buck in a different region then hammer one in R8, as long as you haven't exceeded your 3 deer Prov bag limit...

[Redthies]

I thought you live in R4? Because you can shoot a WT buck in a different region then hammer one in R8, as long as you haven't exceeded your 3 deer Prov bag limit...

My house is in R8, but if I drive to the back of the road I’m on, it hits R4. They really need to clarify the deer bag limit rules. I read them as 1 WT buck, 1 WT doe and a MD buck, unless you hunt R1,2 or 3. But according to my wife, I’ve been wrong before.


Edit: Just re-read the bag limits, and I think you are correct. I could take a WT buck in 4 and one in 8, and a doe. I’m going to concentrate on just getting A deer before I get specific!

[KootenayKiller]

My house is in R8, but if I drive to the back of the road I’m on, it hits R4. They really need to clarify the deer bag limit rules. I read them as 1 WT buck, 1 WT doe and a MD buck, unless you hunt R1,2 or 3. But according to my wife, I’ve been wrong before.


Edit: Just re-read the bag limits, and I think you are correct. I could take a WT buck in 4 and one in 8, and a doe. I’m going to concentrate on just getting A deer before I get specific!

It's pretty straightforward, although easy to misinterpret.

There are provincial bag limits, and regional bag limits. As long as you respect both, you're good. You can take a WT buck in region 4 and in region 8 during the same season. For muleys, there is a restriction of one buck for regions 3-8 combined, but if you got one in regions 1-2 you could still take a second somewhere in regions 3-8. The only restrictions for WT on provincial is that you may not exceed 3 total deer in a season, there's nothing specific to the sex or species.

These rules advantageous for someone like yourself that lives near the border of two different regions - a flaw in the system I believe.

[HarryToolips]

My house is in R8, but if I drive to the back of the road I’m on, it hits R4. They really need to clarify the deer bag limit rules. I read them as 1 WT buck, 1 WT doe and a MD buck, unless you hunt R1,2 or 3. But according to my wife, I’ve been wrong before.


Edit: Just re-read the bag limits, and I think you are correct. I could take a WT buck in 4 and one in 8, and a doe. I’m going to concentrate on just getting A deer before I get specific!

You are correct..just remember to never exceed a regional bag limit, your prov bag limit is 3 deer (unless you hunt those specific areas of reg1?), and your only allowed 1 MD buck between all of regions 3 through 8 combined.. all the best, cheers..

[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.

[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.

[high horse Hal]

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.

Add in the whole neck roast and a backstrap sandwich meat and you'll have a cooler full dressed out in less time than it takes to make coffee

And whats a dry doe? Likely all young deer are weaned off mom at this time of year and ready to face the winter with the rest of their extended family