Dave from illinois asks,
Bill, since does make up so much of the genetic makeup in buck fawns, do you think anyone has ever researched if these does display any characteristics we can identify to avoid harvesting them? Is it the lead doe, the curious doe that always looks for hunters, the big bodied doe? If we could ever identify which does have superior genetics to pass on to buck fawns it would help when doing our doe harvests each year. Obviously these does would be the ones NOT to harvest.
Bill responds,
Topic: Deciding Which Does to Shoot:
As far as I know, there is no way to tell in a free range environment which does carry the genetics required to produce big antlered buck fawns.
Dave,
Not that I know of, but genetics aside, a doe in good health has a much better chance of producing healthy buck fawns. Healthy buck fawns are more likely to reach their own genetic potential than those born to unhealthy mothers. But, that doesn’t really answer your question about genetics.
I seriously doubt any behavioral trait of a doe will give away the antler producing genetics of her fawns. In cattle, for example, they rely on generations of observed traits to determine which cows and which bulls produce the best milk cows, the biggest beef cows and the best formed show cattle, etc.
Without the ability to control which does breed which bucks – and then observe their offspring – I don’t see how it would be possible to selective shoot the “right” does.
Dr. Grant Woods agrees. He says that despite a number of studies, there is nothing observable that correlates a doe’s behavior or body make up (including size) with her ability to produce big antlered buck fawns.
There is something you can key on though. If the buck genetics in your area are poor, it is probably best to focus on shooting older does because they have been responsible (in part) for the mature bucks you are seeing now. You can turn over the genetics in your bucks faster by shooting older does.
If, however, the genetics are good, it is probably best to focus on shooting younger does and letting those older does keep breeding. This may be a small factor in the outcome of the antler genetics in your herd, but again, for all I know, it might make a real difference. Just something to consider. Good question, though. I only wish I had a more complete answer. (1/16/22)
