Whitetails are prey. Like any prey animal, they produce enough offspring to compensate for losses to predators, so when there aren’t enough predators around, whitetails overpopulate. Today, hunters are by far the number one predator of whitetails, taking around 6 million deer annually, but we don’t always take enough – especially enough does.
The National Deer Association recommends doe harvest when a deer population exceeds the carrying capacity of their habitat. Under these conditions, deer health is not optimal. Body and antler size suffers. Fawn survival is lower. Diseases and parasites spread more easily. Habitat damage grows as deer overbrowse desirable forages and turn to worse foods, and this damage impacts other wildlife species.
Regular doe harvest by hunters can prevent these problems, and in many cases it’s as simple as taking a doe for every buck across time. To help hunters manage deer wisely through doe harvest, we’ve compiled previews and links to our best articles answering some of the many questions on this topic.
Why Harvest Does?
Bucks Are More Visible When Hunters Harvest Does — “Balancing the sex ratio to 2:1 (2 adult does per adult buck) or better before the rut can greatly increase competition among bucks for breeding, and that means bucks are more visible to hunters. A balanced doe:buck ratio and complete buck age structures offers you more opportunities to witness bucks fighting or chasing does, a better chance of grunting or rattling one into bow range, and increased daytime buck sightings.” – Ben Westfall
The Reality of Buck: Doe Ratios — “Other than deer density, few subjects ignite controversy as quickly as a discussion of the number of does per buck in any given parcel of woods. There are many misunderstandings regarding sex ratios, so I’ll clearly define what they are, how they are measured, and what they mean to your Quality Deer Management program.” – Kip Adams
Taking Does Can Actually Increase Fawn Production — “You’ve heard some people say they never shoot does because that is like killing next year’s fawns. While this sounds logical, it’s not the correct approach. Doe harvest isn’t always necessary, but when it is, taking the right number of does can actually increase fawn production. The reason is pretty simple: Healthy does raise more fawns. Here’s how it works.” – Lindsay Thomas Jr.
When to Harvest Does
5 Reasons to Take Does Early — “Should you shoot does early or late in the season? For several reasons, the National Deer Association’s answer is: shoot them as early in the season as possible. When there is a doe-harvest goal to be met, don’t delay. Use any opportunity to kill does early, including archery and muzzleloader seasons. Here are five good reasons why.” – Lindsay Thomas Jr.
At What Age Can a Fawn Survive Without Its Doe? — “I am a big fan of shooting does early in the season, but some hunters are concerned that taking does early could decrease the survival rates of any orphaned fawns. This is a valiant concern. Since fawns don’t wear name badges with their birthdates, a great way to determine in the field whether they’re old enough to survive is to look for the presence of spots. If I see a doe that has a fawn with spots, I’ll give her a pass. However, if I see a doe and fawn and the fawn’s spots are gone or are very indistinct, my heart rate quickens as I attach my release or adjust my safety in hopes the doe will soon occupy a place in my freezer.” – Kip Adams
Weak Excuses and Legitimate Concerns of Late-Season Doe Harvest — “During my career as a deer biologist, I’ve heard many weak excuses for why hunters pass up opportunities at antlerless deer late in the hunting season. I’m sure you’ve heard some of them, too. Conversely, there are also some real concerns when hunting does late in the year. Let’s talk about the importance of antlerless harvest and how you can do your part as a hunter to help improve the health of the deer population you hunt.” – Kip Adams
How Many Does to Harvest
How Many Does Should You Harvest? Ask Yourself These 24 Questions — “Not everyone managing a hunting property needs to take does. But everyone should ask themselves each year whether or not they need to. There are a number of factors to consider, so the NDA has compiled 24 questions that will help you decide whether to take more, fewer or zero does each season.” – Matt Ross
12 Signs You Should Harvest More Does — “Managing deer populations for optimal health is about balance. If deer numbers are in balance with available forage and cover, or if available forage outweighs deer numbers, little or no doe harvest is necessary. But few hunters or deer populations are in that condition. If the scales tip toward heavy deer numbers, quality forage grows scarce. These 12 signs indicate you need to take more does to restore balance.” – Lindsay Thomas Jr.
I Tagged My Oldest Doe Ever. Was it a Warning Sign? — “In 2023, I killed my oldest deer ever: a 9½-year-old doe. And that’s what has me wondering: Are we not shooting enough does at Grace Acres? If this many does are reaching advanced age, it suggests a population that skews older and may be overpopulated.” – Lindsay Thomas Jr.
Which Does to Harvest
Some Whitetail Does are Super Fawn Recruiters. Here’s What That Means for Deer Harvest. — Would you be surprised to learn not every doe raises a fawn each year? Zero is an option, even when fawn predators are not a factor. For some does to skip years, though, there must be other does in the population that go beyond the call of duty. Super Does, if you will. New evidence is unmasking these heroes, and their existence has some important implications for your deer population management efforts.” – Lindsay Thomas Jr.
This Spooky Old Doe was a Trophy Deer — “It is always a good idea to maintain a regular doe harvest of some level to help maintain deer density in balance with available forage and nutrition. A good way to inspire yourself to do this is to hunt for the oldest, most wary does in the area, the same way you probably hunt bucks. The challenge of taking a mature doe can extend the excitement of deer season after your buck tag is filled. You’ll also add venison to your freezer or to a neighbor’s table who could use it.” – Lindsay Thomas Jr.
Doe Harvest in CWD Zones
4 Reasons We Can’t Forget Does in the Fight Against CWD — “Even though bucks contract CWD at higher rates than does, it is a mistake to focus the majority of disease management efforts on the bucks in a disease zone. Here are four reasons why we should not forget about the does.” – Kip Adams
Venison Donation Programs
One of the obstacles to adequate doe harvest for many hunters is freezer space. If you can’t use additional venison or share it with someone, then extra antlerless deer tags and harvest opportunities can’t help. That’s one reason NDA created a Venison Processor Map. Using this map, hunters can locate deer processors near them that accept venison donations. If you need to take extra does beyond what your family can use, use this resource to find a donation program near you and share surplus venison with families in need.