how to hunt mature does?

[doestomp]

#3622

I am still patiently waiting to kill my first whitetail with a traditional bow. I love my bow. It was made by John McDonald (big river bows), it is a 60″ 55# reflex deflex lngbw(though I’m pulling 45# with shorter draw). Anyway, last night I was sitting on a dead tree located on a berm, looking into the woods waiting for some does to approach a feeding area that was behind me. Well the deer had another plan and had entered the field from behind where I was sitting. The woods was silent, you could hear mice moving around in the grass. I was getting fidgety because of the water I had been drinking was catching up with me when a large mature ‘old girl’ doe wheezed from 15′ behind me. I almost dropped my bow and wet myself, and I could feel her doe eyes burning a hole in the back of my head. There was thick brush between her and I so she couldn’t quite figure out what I was. I slowly turned my head and body to look behind me. I saw old girl pacing, wheezing and stomping and two other does intently looking my direction. I couldn’t get a shot because of all the brush. My question is… when a doe is in that alarmed state when is the correct time to draw? She didn’t see my exact location but she was very punchy. any advice?

[SteveMcD]

#21981

If she already caught you moving than all bets are off. Typically, you need to come to full draw either when their vision is blocked, or looking away, or they already passed you and quartering away. The “old girl” is usually the family / group matriarch, she is the wisest that all the others learn from.

[William Warren]

#22284

I agree with Steve. It is not wise to shoot at alarmed deer. Your arrow will not get to the target before they have dropped and turned to vamoose. Assuming you could draw, it likely would result in bad shot placement. There is plenty of video footage to prove this. Probably can find some on Youtube.
Duncan

[Stephen Graf]

#22653

In my humble opinion, harvesting an old doe is the toughest challenge there is. A big old buck is shy and thus hard to connect with. But a doe has spent her whole life looking out for the welfare of others and thus is wise to the evils that lurk.
I have found that old does are very tuned in to “evil intent”. So when I am hunting I try not to dwell on the intended outcome in my mind. Happy thoughts make for non threatening body language and vibes. And the deer respond in kind.
Still in all, to harvest an old doe with a traditional bow is a rare accomplishment, at least for me.

[William Warren]

#23016

Steve Graf Wrote: Happy thoughts make for non threatening body language and vibes. And the deer respond in kind.
Still in all, to harvest an old doe with a traditional bow is a rare accomplishment, at least for me.

I absolutely beleive that older does and bucks have a sixth sense and that they can sense our presence in some cases. Could be as Steve Graf suggests, our personal aura that they can sense when by all other physical conditions they should not. And there is no doubt that the lead doe is the hardest whitetail to kill and the bravest. In constant flirtation with total disaster while teaching her troop how to survive. A trophy in my book.
Duncan

[cody]

#23578

I agree with you fellas. Im my opinion a mature wise ol’ doe is just as much of a trophy as a big buck. They are just as hard to kill. Sure the braggin rights might not sound as good but you can’t eat those horns anyway. This is my first year hunting with my recurve and so far its been a hummbeling experience. Im still waiting to take my first whitetail too. So far that mature doe we are talking about has busted me three different times, but our last encounter ended up with her getting a little bit of hair shaved off her chest. I consider that a win in both her and my coloum.

[Mark Turton]

#23931

Hi Doestomp

I think most points have been well covered but may I make another suggestion get well hydrated before going hunting and relieve yourself beforehand this will make your wait a little more comfortable and reduce your scent in the area that you are hunting. If you are someone that enjoys a drink whilst waiting to see what’s happening suck a boiled sweet instead.

Not suggesting you become dehydrated, Mark.

[doestomp]

#24184

Hi, doe stomp here,

All of your suggestions make great sense and I have been watching some videos on youtube- it’s hard to find good videos though where the ego of the hunter doesn’t get in the way. As well, I would be humbly proud to take the old girl matriarch if the creator above so granted it. I would consider the old doe to indeed be a trophy, and I can’t tell you all how many times I have been busted for a small mistake. they are the most difficult creatures to hunt. As for hydration, I will have to drink more water the morning when I wake- I hate having to pee in the woods as (being an old girl myself) involves taking off layers of clothing first. annoying. There is much to be learned by the matriarch doe- i respect her greatly. thanks.

[William Warren]

#25610

Let’s see, how can we say this delicately :oops:.
Not only is it uncomfortable, it can contaminate your hunting area (having to go in the woods). I’ve always used some type of plastic container to go in so I can extend my time in the stand/blind without spooking game. This may sound risky but I have used heavy zip lock bags. Yes, they fold flat, weigh nothing, and you can carry several in your pocket and they have a wide opening. You do need to double bag. Use one and then store it in another bag for carrying out of the woods. Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them! 😀
Duncan

[Lousyhunter]

#29979

I’ve found that the best way to hunt wise old does is at 70 plus yards with my flintlock!!!!:wink:

[Steertalker]

#31733

Doestomp,

One suggestion DS is to trick her. If you have an old doe that has got your stand figured out but still comes in, then you can use that to your advantage. Leave your stand where it is but put up another one in a different position she doesn’t know about. You might even get someone to sit your old stand while you ambush her from the new one. You’ll probably only have one chance to get it right. This is a tactic that I’ve used on several occassions to eliminate an old doe that has become a pain in the neck.

Brett

[Author]

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