* Reprinted with permission
of Whitetail Fanatic magazine.
 With
Quality Deer Management (QDM) practices becoming more prevalent in many
parts of the country, hunters are accepting the fact that it is important
to harvest mature does in an effort to maintain an overall healthy herd.
Unfortunately many hunters often have difficulty identifying a mature doe
even when she is with her offspring and other members of her doe group.
As hunters begin to realize that if they want opportunities at big bucks
they need to let little bucks grow up, many take the next step and decide
to harvest a doe in areas where the buck to doe ratio is out of balance.
In some areas where the "buck only" mentality has existed for years, does
out number bucks ten to one. If your hunting area resembles this scenario
it is time for you to let the bucks walk and harvest some does instead.
Once you've decided to harvest a doe it becomes critical that you actually
accomplish what you set out to do. Many hunters start out with good intentions
and actually shoot what they believe to be the "big doe" only to find that
what they thought was a big doe is really a yearling (six-month-old) button
buck. When you see a doe group it is important to realize that 50% of the
deer in the group might be button bucks.
Button bucks are typically bigger than their female siblings and often
tend to be a bit bolder and more curious. As a doe group works it's way
down your game trail it will likely be led by a button buck. Many hunters
see the button buck and believe it is the "big lead doe". The realization
that you shot a button buck when you thought you were taking a big doe
is similar to the "ground shrinkage" feeling that buck hunters experience
when they realize that the big trophy 10 pointer that they shot is really
a small immature 2 ½ year old deer that had the potential to be
a real wall hanger if it had been given a few years to grow.
Don't make the "button buck" mistake. Even though at first glance they
seem similar, there are subtle differences that can help you learn to easily
distinguish a button buck from a big doe. The head; the head of an adult
doe is bigger, the ears are longer and the snout is longer. The neck; the
neck of an adult doe will be longer and have more depth. The body; the
body of an adult doe will be wider, deeper and will appear taller than
her male offspring. The other difference is that a button buck will appear
curious while an adult doe will appear much more cautious and her ears
will move around in an effort to detect danger more than a button buck.
I encourage everyone to practice QDM and shooting does is often an intricate
part of the plan but before you pull the trigger or launch an arrow take
the time to properly identify what type of animal you have in your sights.
* Reprinted with permission
of Whitetail Fanatic magazine.
Whitetail Fanitic
Tommy's
Tip Of The Month
Whitetail Fanatic Subscription
Info: bheying@whitetailfanatic.com
Web Site: www.whitetailfanatic.com
Email: tfassbinder@whitetailfanatic.com |
