I often hear hunters, outdoor writers, and even biologists refer to 10:1 or 15:1 doe:buck ratios. These cannot be pre-hunt adult ratios because as long as the deer herd is reproducing, the ratio cannot become more skewed than 5 does per buck.
Way to many deer mature doe, fewer deer baby doe. By shooting the small doe in this case you are allowing the button buck to live hence balancing the ratio while allowing the doe to fawn producing your doe for next year in theory. "Guys today don't know what real turkey hunting is. They don't really carry on a conversation with the turkeys.
What do you use for the plural of multiple female deer? "Doe" or "Does"
A doe comes by chased by a buck and skirts around to the left. She sees me (smelled me too probably) blows and goes past. The buck almost came in the blind but stopped in front going around to the right. She blows as loud as possible from about 50 yds. I can almost touch him. Never been so close for so long.
Took my biggest doe Friday after Thanksgiving. Didn't have a scale and wanted to get her into the fridge due to temps. But... still curious on a realistic weight. Visually and by feel, I had an idea with no confirmation. Then after eating a backstrap and tenderloins, I weighed up the trimmed...
Here is an excellent video produced by Jeff Sturgis which kind of hit the nail on the head for what is happening on our property... Habitat and Herd ImprovementAn Easy Way To Raise Or Reduce Deer Numbers 10 minutes.
The Myth of 10:1 Doe to Buck Ratios - Michigan Sportsman Forum
A mature doe will have a long snout and a chest that extends forward from her front legs. But my best advice is to shoot a doe every year, making note of how big they look and acutally end up being. Nothing like expirience to learn how to judge them. They say you can't eat a rack. Perhaps, but that rack's got a nice set of aged steaks attached ...