For a couple of reasons, Roland Dugas Jr., his family and guests take does during mid-October through mid-December.
“I want to make sure I am tuned in — a method of getting my (bow) practice,” Dugas said. “And there is nothing better than actually shooting in the field and taking does.”
But there’s another real benefit.
“I like to kill two to three does before the rut comes in around Christmastime, and I find that if there are a reduced number of does, then the bucks will have to move more to find (does) during the rut,” Dugas explained.
But they’re very careful about where they set up to thin out the doe population.
“We will leave the areas alone where we do know the big bucks are until the rutting period,” Dugas said. “Then we will hunt those areas expecting more buck movement due to the early doe harvests.”
According to Dugas, quality deer management dictates that a piece of property has as many bucks as does on the lands — a sex ratio as close to 1:1 as possible.
“Make sure you have your ratios in line,” the bowhunter said. “Louisiana Deer Study Leader Scott Durham will tell you that once a DMAP survey is conducted on your place you have to maintain deer numbers at a prescribed sex ratio (via doe tags) on your lands to stay within its carrying capacity for a healthy, quality herd.
“We saw does with singles (one fawn) when we first started, but when we actively engaged in quality deer management the does started having twins, As a result, they’re healthier and eating better. You must have some type of prescribed doe harvests for quality deer management.
The Dugases extend their management to their guests.
“And if you are fortunate enough to be a guest, you will have the chance to participate in the quality deer management on these lands,” he said. “If you’re a guest, you’re going to kill a doe before killing a buck.
“You’re going to participate in our management program before you participate in our trophy program.”
