Antlerless Hunting - Cows w/ calves, Does w/ fawns...

[cnelk]

If you have an antlerless only tag [cow tag/doe tag] do you shoot a cow or doe that has a young one alongside?

This could be a cow moose, cow elk, doe deer, doe antelope, etc.

Thoughts?

 

[Ucsdryder]

If you have an antlerless only tag [cow tag/doe tag] do you shoot a cow or doe that has a young one alongside?

This could be a cow moose, cow elk, doe deer, doe antelope, etc.

Thoughts?

Late season yes, early seasons no.

 

[Pony Soldier]

Try to pick the dry cows but sometimes you just can't tell

 

[Geewhiz]

I would do my very best to not shoot a cow with a calf or a doe with a fawn. Rarely if ever is that your only option. And if it was I think I’d pass.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Tend to not get antlerless tags, but I have had a couple and I would get one if it was between not hunting and getting some good meat. Full disclosure so some think I’m not in an ivory tower my first archery kill was a calf that I called in for the second time that day, best elk meat I’ve had… just wish there was more haha but still yielded as much as most big muley bucks. No i would pass on shooting a mature female with a little one

Isn’t it illegal to shoot a cow moose with a calf in Co?

 

[Pacific_Fork]

I’d have to be desperate or starving. Killing does/cows is relatively easy enough, so I’d find one without YOTY with her.

 

[Mountneer]

2 years ago I ate tag soup when I let 2 cows each with their calf walk away, at 100 yds. Mid season rifle. In that moment, it was the right call, and still is to me.
It's a different story when they are in a bigger group and more anonymous.
Maybe I've just become softer with age.

 

[Tick]

Given a shot side by side, I'd shoot the dry cow/doe. I also have no problem shooting a cow/doe with offspring if it is the only opportunity and legal. Hunting today is a management tool.

 

[crich]

No I pass if there are littles with her unless its a January gun season or something real late.

I had this personal policy prior to this incident but I arrowed a doe once that went down within sight. Unknowingly, she had twin fawns that were born late (young but no spots) that were bedded in a nearby thicket. Within a few minutes they had run over and laid down next to her. I walked up and nearly had to physically remove them as they stayed next to her and kept bleating. Eventually they slowly walked off after standing 10 yards away watching me field dress their mom. I felt horrible for a long time after that one.

 

[100 others]

I base my decision on the age of the young, proximity to a herd that would likely pick them up, and severity of winters in the area. I’d imagine calf elk are much more likely to survive winter with a herd than deer fawns in an area that deer don’t congregate during winter.
Sometimes it’s totally fine, others seem more like a death sentence.

 

[wytx]

If I'm using a cow tag or doe /fawn license it is because the area needs some doe or cows taken out of it. I'm shooting whatever gives me the good shot.
No cow moose with calf at it's side in Wyoming either.

 

[cnelk]

Isn’t it illegal to shoot a cow moose with a calf in Co?

There’s nothing in the CPW Regs about that.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

I always tell my boys an elk calf would be easier to pack out than a cow…

 

[spike camp]

I’ve killed two cow elk with calfs during regular archery.
Neither time did I know the cow and calf were together.
It sucked.
Had to chase off the calf both times.
I won’t do it on purpose, it sucks.

 

[Sandstrom]

Always the calf/fawn! They are so tender!!!
Ryan

 

[Hnthrdr]

There’s nothing in the CPW Regs about that.

I get to see lots of cow/calf moose and it seems those calves will hang with mom for a longggg time, honestly it seems more rare to find a cow moose without calves these days

 

[Yoder]

I've killed a doe with fawns and I've accidently killed fawns that I thought were full grown. I think the biggest thing is how late in the season and what is the population like in your area.

 

[justinspicher]

I would love to be able to shoot a cow or a doe, but not with a little one in tow. Unless it was survival dependant.

 

[SWOHTR]

Done it once and never again. Very offputting to have the fawn 10 yds away calling to mom, watching as you field dress her.

Never again.

 

[bpa556]

Yes I will. Hunting in North America is a game management tool. If the state issues tags, they want those mouths off the range. Any biologist (I work with them constantly down here in Texas) will tell you to shoot either sex of ALL age classes to fill the quota. That’s how nature works.


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