Early firarms doe season

[DRH1175]

I hunt in 225 and have the early doe season this weekend. Even though I like my bowhunting. I will take a week off to help thin some does out with my rifle. I was wondering if anyone else participates and what are all the feelings about it. I do think the oppourtunity to fill the freezer is good. As is another chance to take a few does.

[shae1986]

This season runs right up where i go to school in Crookston Mn and im all for it. Lots of deer to be shot, i will be out of town pheasant hunting this weekend so good luck to all who participate and be safe.

A Shae

[DRH1175]

I really would like to pheasant hunt. However I feel it is my job to work on some of those does. You never know it may add to my buck chances later this month too.

[bigbucks]

I'd love to do it, but it's too far from home. Can bow hunt around home cheaper & get in less trouble, not gone all weekend, so not doing it.

[Schief]

I'm way up in 257 and will be on my way up after work tomorrow. It's a long drive for 2 days of does only but oh well. Any chance I get to shut off the cell phone and sit in a stand for 2 days I will take.

Gotta thin out those does!!!

[almostthere!]

DR,

I will be in area 225 as well. Where in 225 are you going to be at?

I will be set up just south of Hiway 70 on public land. This will be my first time hunting this area. The deer trails look good, but I did not see any deer during the scout.

[DRH1175]

Just north of Almelund which is off of 95 between taylors falls and northbranch. It is at my Father in laws cousins farm. We hunt here everyyear. South of 70 has plenty of deer as well. I do a lot of grouse hunting in that area and have seen a lot of deer sign this year as normal.

[almostthere!]

DR,

Need a hand getting rid of 2 more does?

Do you have two brown dogs? Might have seen you.

[DRH1175]

Well not much this weekend. Heard one snorting on the way in and saw one saturday evening about 300 yards out too far for me to try. All in all waste of time! Wish I would have spent the weekend with my Golden instead chasing roosters!!

[almostthere!]

Same situation here: it was a waste of time. The fields and woods were deader than the Dead Sea. Should have gone pheasant hunting instead.

Saturday morning, it was still 6:20am, not legal shooting time, we heard dogs barking from the road. We were not just setting up our climbers. We were over half a mile into the woods. 6:45am, still not legal shooting hour, guy with dog showed up by the brother-in-law. Holy Smokes!!! What was this grouse hunter thinking: putting the early surprise on the grouse? Dude could have waited until legal shooting hour before pounding the thickets. Now, suppose he and the dog were to chase a doe my way. Do I shoot it or do I just let it go knowing that my hunt is over? Of-course I will let it go; it ain't legal yet.

I don't mind sharing the woods, but a grouse hunter with dog pounding the thickets before legal shooting hour really makes me think twice about the hunter's brain functions. It was still too dark to make out the blaze orange when he went in. What if a deer hunter is sitting in a treestand on his way in and his dog kicks up a grouse in the deer hunter's direction?

What did we do? We gave it a little time then headed back to the truck and took out the shotguns and BB's. We massacred the local area's grouse and woodcocks.

[icefritz]

I took this early season as a time to take my 13 yr old daughter for her first deer hunt (she got her certificate on the 5th). She said she wanted to go, I bought her a gun, got her to the range, etc. Had her dressed from head to toes in orange and even bought a buddy stand so we can enjoy it for many years.

Sat morning, we went out and got in the stand (but not after I fell in some mud and got wet almost to my waist) way before light. She heard a deer walk to her left but could not see it. At shooting time, I heard something and turned around to find 2 does standing where I fell in the mud (scent control works!). She could not get a good shot, so she asked me to shoot one of them - must have been the shivers from being wet, but I missed. Shortly after, we left so I could warm up and she could get some sleep.

I thought about it and decided to try again on Sunday afternoon. After about being the stand for about 20 minutes, I saw one about 70 yards out and my daughter did too. I was thinking - 'this is her shot - first deer!' - but she did not want to take the shot. Not because she was afraid, but because she did not feel she had the best angle and was not totally comfortable with the shot. She asked me to shoot it and I got this one. We went over and started preparing it for the next task.

Not once did she act disgusted or try to run away. She also reminded me of the tagging regulations and how she was told to remove the entrails in class. I was so proud of her!! Although she did not shoot the deer, she exhibited the most grown up attitude and judgement of most people I know that hunt.

She is ready for normal season and maybe she will get that big buck. If so, we will have to see how her mother feels about having a mount in her room!

[bigbucks]

Sorry I'm a bonehead, had the youth deer hunt in my brain, forget about what I posted. Really, I've never done drugs.

[SUNNYD]

Ummmm...anyone can hunt early doe season. If they both had early doe season tags either of them could take the deer. Early doe season is NOT a youth hunt. Hope this helps clarify.

Take care!

[DRH1175]

Ice Fritz,

YOu had a good weekend that is good to see. Your daughter will be hooked for life. She seems like she really enjoyed it and very mature. I agree sounds like she is 100 times more mature than the average deer hunter these days!