Doe Health

[Mike Belt]

I'm of the understanding that too many does in the buck to doe ratio can be very stressful on the local population of bucks during the rut. This is said to have consequences like sending the bucks through winter in such bad condition that many may die and survivors may lack body or antler size the following season. However, I never hear anything about the doe segment. In a population where bucks outnumber the does couldn't the rut be so stressful on does that they suffer the same consequences including possibly not conceiving even though they were bred during the rut or losing their offspring even before they are born? I understand that pressuring does will make them considerably harder to see but I'm not the only hunter I know hat is seeing many more bucks than does and I'm looing for a reason.

 

[W.Seay]

We've seen 3 bucks for every doe this year, although all young bucks.

 

[pass-thru]

Unlike vice versa, too many bucks would be a self correcting problem within a year or too. Because you can't get more bucks without does.

I think the does would be fine. In esterous, they will get bred...maybe a lot of fighting, but once they're bred they would be left alone.

 

[BSK]

In a small area, far more bucks than does probably isn't a problem, as deer can shift in an out of the area. But over a large area, more bucks than does probably indicates an over-harvest of does.

I don't think the stress of the rut on does is anywhere near as high as it is on bucks.