Hi - every year I tend to shoot more roe bucks than does. I’m a recreational stalker so this isn’t a very scientific point because I go out when I can, but I’m always behind on does. I’ve never been behind on bucks. Do others find this and what’s the reason? I do try to stick to the old seasons (in Scotland) Thanks.
Behind on roe doe numbers
- Thread starter HarryG
- Start date
I used to be the same as I used to leave the does until after Christmas, to let the followers get a little bigger, then run out of time. Now I start late October / early November.
long_range_rob
Well-Known Member
Shorter days, worse weather, as they used to say on my school reports “Must try harder”
I've a group I'm trying ti mop up in far. And they running rings round me at moment ....lot more activity on grou.d work wise, notable increase in dog walkers...it's close to urban location and they nor.ally really chill with human activity but last 5 or 6 weeks flighty as hell !......
I have my suspicions
Ach well if was easy abody would be doing it ..normally not too bad getting on them
Paul
I have my suspicions
Ach well if was easy abody would be doing it ..normally not too bad getting on them
Paul
David Barker
Well-Known Member
If you have a cull target and by the post you have then why not take some one else on and sort your does out early. e have to many who struggle for no good reason. I have tw3o very good friends who help me on what would have been considered my ground. Some real changes on the ground had me rethinking my plans. CSGN has seen the roe population boom across the Scottish industrialised central belt and it w3as time for a more focused approach.
long_range_rob
Well-Known Member
I’ve just picked up a bit of ground with a fallow problem. Massive house and grounds, it’s taken them two months to finally confirm they want me to do it and want the 50+ head removed in the 11 days remaining of the season whilst complying with their onerous access restrictions 
Baumbart
Member
For german seasons, I think the reasons for this is the fact, that it's not always easy to tell if a doe ist carrying in spring or it's an one year old doe. Then it's warm and nice to hunt bucks all summer and they are pretty active. And then it gets dark, cold and muddy and we get less active. And it's not so desireable for most to hunt doublettes and triplettes in early autumn.
I would say start early and use your chances. And If you can get a female, do not chose the male.
This is a good point. Someone else will stalk the ground differently and may get results when you haven't. None of us stalk a piece of ground in exactly the same way. A fresh pair of eyes may see the ground quite differently and get different results.
Regards
JCS
Subsistence
Well-Known Member
In scotland, looking for stalking opportunities, perhaps I could help you with the does???
big ears
Well-Known Member
As you say If you need to cull them why wait until after Christmas? Cull the mother and wait. The followers will then come back and you take them as well. No place for sentiments with culling.
No massive pressure on my ground, 4/5 off of ew h of the farms each year keeps them where they need to be. Used to leave it to let the followers get a little more weight on for the freezer, so no sentimentality there
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Roe Does are often far more visible than bucks especially in winter time as they tend to group up with young at foot out in the middle of arable fields which often provide the only readily available food.
Bucks, especially older bucks tend to tuck themselves away from general view.
It is very easy for those not in the know to get very vexed and start dictating numbers etc.
It’s the role of the deer manager to educate and manage the expectations of their landowners.
I have taken a few of my wife’s colleagues who are foresters and involved in setting cull targets out stalking. They very quickly realise what is actually involved and its not simply a question of just shooting.
I think a mistake many make is putting too much pressure on deer. Constantly being out stalking and trying to pick them off one by one just educates the deer.
If you need to shoot numbers, get a group of you and hit them hard in a day. And then leave them alone.
Bucks, especially older bucks tend to tuck themselves away from general view.
It is very easy for those not in the know to get very vexed and start dictating numbers etc.
It’s the role of the deer manager to educate and manage the expectations of their landowners.
I have taken a few of my wife’s colleagues who are foresters and involved in setting cull targets out stalking. They very quickly realise what is actually involved and its not simply a question of just shooting.
I think a mistake many make is putting too much pressure on deer. Constantly being out stalking and trying to pick them off one by one just educates the deer.
If you need to shoot numbers, get a group of you and hit them hard in a day. And then leave them alone.
David Barker
Well-Known Member
Not best practice and very bad advice. Shoot the kids first then if she is still standing do the full family wipe out. To Shoot the mum then have the real chance of the kids not having proper nourishment and guidance through the winter in to spring is a welfare issue and in my opinion has no place deer management. Like i said if you cant do it properly get help or take up gold and just cheat at that there is no welfare issues in that.
Short days and inclement weather in the Doe time
Long days and better weather at the Bucks
Does attract bucks in not the other way around
If there is no outside pressure from the landowner or similar? so what ! One or two lets say nice Buck could put his seed in many does but only one time will they be pregnant that season.
I used to do a lot of pure culling, in some places with plans to take them back as much as possible . It soon becomes nothing but graft and then it should ideally be a paid employment. Roe and other small deer don't fetch much when they have to go through to a dealer, especially when you might have to drive them in yourself on your own millage cost
Long days and better weather at the Bucks
Does attract bucks in not the other way around
If there is no outside pressure from the landowner or similar? so what ! One or two lets say nice Buck could put his seed in many does but only one time will they be pregnant that season.
I used to do a lot of pure culling, in some places with plans to take them back as much as possible . It soon becomes nothing but graft and then it should ideally be a paid employment. Roe and other small deer don't fetch much when they have to go through to a dealer, especially when you might have to drive them in yourself on your own millage cost
Dan Newcombe
Well-Known Member
I suppose the question is whether you put the same effective effort into the does. Winter is cold, inclement and the days are short especially when you are working full time as well so the actual time available is a lot less - could be as simple as that.
Or - you could just be a trophy hunter like a certain stalker I know up here!
Or - you could just be a trophy hunter like a certain stalker I know up here!
big ears
Well-Known Member
Good to hear. Too many deer managers could learn from this.No massive pressure on my ground, 4/5 off of ew h of the farms each year keeps them where they need to be. Used to leave it to let the followers get a little more weight on for the freezer, so no sentimentality there
