re: Doe management opinions

It does not affect the deer population if you kill a doe now or in January.

You can not tell genetics of antlers by looking at a doe. Although the doe does contribute the genes to her offsprings antlers as much or maybe more (52%) than the buck does.

Shooting a doe early lessens the deer pressure on the food supply. So shooting early has the advantage of being a positive for the remaining deer.

Older does aren't always the bigger deer. But bigger does have more meat. So shoot a big one.

Infertility is rare with deer so the barren doe is not really true. Predation or malnutrition or disease is usually the cause of a doe that doesn't have youngsters.

If my memory serves me right the youngest and oldest does have the most male offspring.