Never seen this behavior before

[dogsled]

know with all my heart that if any creature, animal or man, threatened me or my family, I would not hesitate to end their life on the spot.

I've often thought that a hunter values all life more than others because they know just how fast it can be taken away...

I agree with you here. In a me or them situation, you don't have a choice and I would not hesitate. I think as an ethical hunter you have to think about the outcome when you pull the trigger. I won't take a shot anymore unless I am pretty confident that it will be a clean kill, I hate to think that something runs off and suffers.

A neighbors brother that hunts their property has lost more deer than anyone I know. Seems to happen every year. They are land locked and have to use the road across my place to get in and out. I don't know if he just can't shoot or will shoot at anything moving that is brown with no concern for shot placement. My guess is it is both. Either way I won't hunt with him or allow him to hunt my property.

 

[Lost Lake]

I shot a doe last year after Thanksgiving in a large group on that same property I mentioned in the start of the thread. Double lung shot, she ran about 30 yards before dropping. I sat for about 15 minutes before going to track her. When I got to the carcass a yearling jumped up from some brush nearby and ran away. Field dressing her I realized she was still lactating, so I assume that was her offspring and was still nursing. After that incident I won't take a doe in a group that has any yearlings and try to wait later in the year.

This is me. I don't blame or cast aspersions on anyone for doing different for any reason.

The last doe I took was from a group of four that were all mature looking. No younger ones with them. Kinda rare to see that really.

I know, I'm getting soft, or soft headed maybe.

 

[RockMcL]

I shot a doe last year after Thanksgiving in a large group on that same property I mentioned in the start of the thread. Double lung shot, she ran about 30 yards before dropping. I sat for about 15 minutes before going to track her. When I got to the carcass a yearling jumped up from some brush nearby and ran away. Field dressing her I realized she was still lactating, so I assume that was her offspring and was still nursing. After that incident I won't take a doe in a group that has any yearlings and try to wait later in the year.

I personally try to wait till December/January for does but unless you shoot an outcast doe there is an extended family and another doe will take them in. I am privileged to live surrounded by deer and have observed fawns adopted when their mothers are killed by car or predator many times.

With that said I avoid the early does for multiple reasons. If I need one I don't hesitate though.

I was taught by example and teach my offspring by example and words. Nothing wrong with feeling the weight of taking life. That feeling is there for a reason.

 

[Popcorn]

I was taught by example and teach my offspring by example and words. Nothing wrong with feeling the weight of taking life. That feeling is there for a reason.

Now this I can agree with. I never fail to take the time to thank nature, the deer and God for the gift of the harvest. It's also a sign of a conservation minded hunter.

 

[BSK]

Have seen similar behavior before.

My wife's step dad told me that he killed one and watched another buck come in and try to fight the dead deer.

I had a 2 1/2 year-old buck try to fight a dead 2 1/2 that I had shot 30 minutes earlier.

 

[BSK]

I shot a doe last year after Thanksgiving in a large group on that same property I mentioned in the start of the thread. Double lung shot, she ran about 30 yards before dropping. I sat for about 15 minutes before going to track her. When I got to the carcass a yearling jumped up from some brush nearby and ran away. Field dressing her I realized she was still lactating, so I assume that was her offspring and was still nursing. After that incident I won't take a doe in a group that has any yearlings and try to wait later in the year.

Just remember that all does that successfully raised a fawn will still be lactating during deer season. We use the percent of harvested does that are still lactating as a measure of fawn production and rearing rates. Fawns are weaned at about 6 weeks of age and can survive without momma's milk. But that doesn't mean they won't stop trying to nurse. In addition, a fawn nursing from it's mother is an instinct built into the species to keep the bond between mother and offspring strong. For this reason, fawns will attempt to nurse (which keeps milk flowing hence the mother still lactating) long, long after the fawn is weaned. I got video this week of a big button buck still trying to nurse from momma. He was weaned months ago yet he's still at it due to instinctive/behavioral drives.

 

[Omega]

I took a doe last week Sunday, DRT, that had two yearlings with it, both ran off but one decided to return so I took it too. I had thought it a little bigger, but it wasn't, so it will be nice and tender I'm sure. I've seen many times that traveling companions will come back and have taken a few pairs this way when I am trying to fill my freezer or get an extra one for my friends. It is a bit sad sometimes, but it's just a part of nature, and I am playing a part in it.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Just remember that all does that successfully raised a fawn will still be lactating during deer season. We use the percent of harvested does that are still lactating as a measure of fawn production and rearing rates. Fawns are weaned at about 6 weeks of age and can survive without momma's milk. But that doesn't mean they won't stop trying to nurse. In addition, a fawn nursing from it's mother is an instinct built into the species to keep the bond between mother and offspring strong. For this reason, fawns will attempt to nurse (which keeps milk flowing hence the mother still lactating) long, long after the fawn is weaned. I got video this week of a big button buck still trying to nurse from momma. He was weaned months ago yet he's still at it due to instinctive/behavioral drives.

The morning I killed my second deer of this season(8days ago), a fair sized fawn was trying to nurse from a doe. She let it for a few seconds until she saw the buck, that I would end up shooting, closing in.

 

[ROB]

I have read that, in areas with lots of mature bucks, yearling buck may participate very little in breeding and, after their mom's disperse them, often join yearling bachelor groups. I think it's possible that is what happened with these two bucks. & the second one was just checking on his pal, the one you shot.