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Aggressive Doe Harvest
Article from QDMA Written by: Brian Murphy
In today's era of overabundant whitetail populations, one of the most common challenges facing those practicing Quality Deer Management (QDM) is harvesting enough antlerless deer on their property annually. In fact, in some areas it seems that no matter how many antlerless deer you harvest, little, if any, population impact is achieved.
It is possible to overharvest a whitetail herd - proof of this occurred during the late 1800s and early 1900s when whitetails were nearly extirpated throughout North America. However, this was during the era of market hunting, extensive deforestation and year-round harvest to feed the growing populations of European settlers. Today, however, the whitetail's landscape is a patchwork of forest, agriculture and subdivisions - a perfect environment for this highly adaptable animal.
Over the past 15 years I have helped establish antlerless harvest goals for numerous properties throughout the country. In almost all cases, I have recommended goals well above those previously established. Often, shortly after my goals are announced, the room becomes quiet as the hunters quickly do the math and realize the enormity of the task at hand. Occasionally, I'll even get the question, "I know we need to take a lot of does now, but when can we stop killing so many?" As most serious QDM practitioners realize, this day never comes. In fact, as many properties begin to achieve their initial harvest goal, often during the same period they establish food plots and improve the native habitat, the herd becomes more productive and, you guessed it, even more antlerless deer must be harvested. Establishing the correct antlerless harvest goal for your property depends on many factors and can even change from year to year on the same property. While rare, there are still a few areas where aggressive doe harvests are not warranted. As such, I strongly recommend involving a qualified wildlife biologist in this important decision.
The purpose of this article is to highlight techniques to improve your antlerless harvest efficiency. Like most hunters, I would much rather process several antlerless deer at one time than just one. Harvesting multiple antlerless deer during a single hunt (where legal) greatly increases processing efficiency while also increasing the chances that the harvest goal for the property will be achieved. In most states, hunter numbers are decreasing and antlerless deer bag limits are increasing. Together, these trends suggest that the deer hunter/manager of tomorrow will have to become far more efficient at harvesting antlerless deer than those of the past.
Before outlining specific harvest techniques, it is worth discussing which does should be harvested. Most whitetail experts say the best doe to harvest is the first one that stands still long enough to provide a clear shot. The second best doe is the next one that stands still and so on. I generally agree, though it can depend on the situation. In most cases I recommend harvesting adult does because they are the most reproductive part of the herd, generally producing twin fawns annually. In areas of high deer density, they provide the most "bang for the buck" with regard to lowering density. In areas with low to moderate deer densities, a balanced harvest of all age classes, focused primarily on yearling and fawn does, is generally more appropriate. However, on the majority of properties simply achieving the harvest goal is a challenge. Therefore, my general outlook is that any doe old enough to eat an acorn is fair game. This may sound harsh, but it's the reality of aggressive antlerless harvest programs.
The following antlerless harvest strategies are based on my experiences and those of many other "professional doe hunters." Using these techniques, I have harvested numerous "multiples" over the past decade. My personal goal, while unrealistic for most hunters, is to harvest 30 to 40 antlerless deer for every buck, with less than 2 percent of the antlerless deer being button bucks. Accordingly, over the past 10 years, I have taken 164 does, six bucks (including three "management" bucks) and three button bucks.
Now, let's discuss the how-to of harvesting multiple antlerless deer during a single hunt.
1. Identify the Dominant Doe
Perhaps the most important factor in harvesting multiple antlerless deer is identifying the dominant doe in a group of antlerless deer. The dominant doe, generally also the oldest, is the leader and responsible for making key decisions, such as when and where to run after encountering danger. Several tips can make identification of this doe easier. First, the dominant doe will almost always be mature. This can be confirmed by a large, rectangular-shaped body and a long, "Coca-Cola bottle"-shaped head. In contrast, fawns have square bodies with short heads and faces. The dominant doe also will almost always be the lead doe when a group of antlerless deer is traveling undisturbed between bedding and feeding areas. This helpful hint was provided to me by QDMA founder Joe Hamilton more than a decade ago, and it has come in handy many times. Both Joe and I have harvested numerous "multiples" with the ages of those harvested almost always corresponding to the order in which they were traveling prior to the first shot. Another useful clue is aggression, especially at feeding locations. If, when watching a group of antlerless deer, one becomes highly aggressive to another, it's usually a safe bet that the one initiating the aggression is mature and often the dominant doe in the group. Common aggressive behaviors include lowering ears, striking with a front foot, or standing vertically and "flailing" with both front legs.
2. Determine any "Off-limit" Group Members
Once the dominant doe in the group is identified, quickly scan other group members to see if any are off limits, like yearling bucks or button bucks. Pay close attention to any button bucks, because they can be difficult to keep separate from others that are fair game once the action begins. This is where a good pair of binoculars is essential. In most cases, you just can't see the fine detail as well with a scope as you can a good pair of binoculars. I've stated many times that my most important piece of hunting equipment is not my gun, bow or treestand — it's my binoculars. I truly mean this — the few times I have forgotten them, I just didn't feel comfortable during the hunt. I swear by my Swarovski 8 X 30s, though other top-end optics will do. I generally recommend that hunters determine their maximum budget for a pair of binoculars and then double it. You will never regret it.
If, while scanning the group, you identify any that are off limits, watch them closely, especially as the time to fire the first shot nears. If all other group members are "takers," the off-limits animal becomes the most important at this point.
3. Select the Preferred Second Deer to Harvest
Once you have identified the first (dominant) doe to harvest and any others that are off limits, the next step is to select a preferred second deer to harvest. This is not unlike the game of chess, where you not only focus on the move at hand, but one or two moves ahead as well. Of course, once the first shot is fired, there are no guarantees you will get a shot at the preferred number two, but it has occurred often enough to become part of my routine. If the group is relatively small — three or four animals — I generally select the doe that appears to be second in command to the dominant doe. Again, the dominant doe is the leader. When traveling, she is often in front, with the second in command next, and so on. Be careful — occasionally the dominant doe's fawns will be immediately behind her, then the second in command, and so on.
4. Wait for the Optimum Shot Opportunity
Often, the difference in harvesting one doe out of a group versus several is waiting for the optimum time to fire the first shot. While it may be easy to harvest one doe 100 yards away through the woods, the odds of harvesting a second deer are generally slim. However, if the group is close when the first shot is fired, the chances you will get a second shot are much improved. Also, as the group gets closer, you can reduce the magnification of your scope (assuming it has variable magnification), which increases your field of view and makes it easier to pick up a second or third shot opportunity. As long as the antlerless group is moving in your direction, be patient and continue checking all group members. Also, take the time to carefully scan your surroundings looking for possible shot windows for the first as well as subsequent shots.
5. Drop the Dominant Doe in Her Tracks
Here's where the action begins. Once you have identified the preferred first and second deer to harvest and allowed them to get as close as possible, the next step is to drop the dominant doe in her tracks. I prefer a high shoulder shot, though a head or neck shot will do. However, the head and neck are small targets and fairly tough to hit consistently under normal hunting conditions. Remember, this is not about proving you are an expert marksman, it's about maximizing antlerless harvest opportunities. Even if you make a lethal shot, such as a heart or lung shot, but don't drop the dominant doe in her tracks, she will run and take the other group members with her, greatly reducing second-shot opportunities.
6. Harvest Other "Eligible" Group Members
Once you drop the dominant doe, there is generally a period of five to 10 seconds when other group members freeze, or run only a short distance. This is because lower-ranking group members seldom, if ever, have to make key decisions. This moment of hesitation is generally long enough to locate and lock on to the second in command. While it helps to drop this doe on the spot also, it is not nearly as important as the first. Once a good shot has been made on the second deer, it's time to scan for any other potential takers. This is the time when mistakes commonly occur. After two shots are fired and remaining group members scatter, be careful not to get so engrossed with harvesting another deer that you forget about any that are off limits. My favorite situation is a group of three to six antlerless deer with all being female. This really takes the pressure off when the action begins. Then, it's just a matter of waiting for clear shots.
This reminds me of a situation that occurred two years ago while hunting with one of our National Board Members on his Georgia farm. When I arrived, I simply asked him to put me in a good place to harvest a doe. I asked him how many he would like me to harvest and he said, "As many as you can." To someone who loves harvesting does even more than bucks, this was music to my ears. Not long after arriving on stand, I noticed a group of three antlerless deer heading my direction. I carefully scanned the group to find one large, dominant doe in the lead, a smaller, but still mature doe behind her, and a fawn in the rear. The first two were definitely fair game, but I had to wait until they were within 30 yards before I could confirm the fawn was female. When the time was right, I took the dominant doe with a high shoulder shot, after which the other two quickly froze. I was already locked on to the second oldest doe and, before she could run, dropped her with another shoulder shot. The fawn ran about 40 yards before pausing briefly to see what happened, which provided a perfect quartering away shot. All three were down in less than 10 seconds. Back at the skinning shed, their ages, in the order they were harvested, were 4 1/2, 2 1/2 and six months.
7. Stay Put
I can't recall how many times I have taken a doe early in a hunt and, simply by staying put, was rewarded with another shot a short time later. Many hunters mistakenly believe that once they fire a shot, all deer in the county know exactly where they are and will avoid the area for many hours. On the contrary, it often seems that a dead deer on the ground actually attracts other deer. This is especially true during the rut. Numerous hunters have witnessed a buck trying to harass or even mount a doe they had harvested a short time before. Being patient is especially important in situations where you have harvested the dominant doe but were unable to harvest other group members. More often than not, subordinate group members will circle back to see what happened to their leader. As such, I sit tight and, usually within an hour, I am rewarded with another shot.
By following these proven techniques, you can greatly increase your chances of harvesting multiple antlerless deer during a single hunt. By doing so, you not only increase your chances of meeting the antlerless harvest goal for your property, but also save considerable time and effort at the skinning shed.
About the Author: Brian Murphy is a wildlife biologist and the executive director of QDMA.
To learn more and support Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), visit their website at: www.qdma.com
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