Ask The Biologist

Got Milk?

Got Milk?

By Bob Humphrey

It’s common for does to have milk in their udders in deer season.

QUESTION: I had a friend tell me it’s impossible to shoot a doe that is lactating legally because it would be too late in the season in the fall. Another friend told me that if you shoot a doe that is lactating, the meat will taste bad. What are your thoughts? — Henry G.

ANSWER: Tell the first friend that not only is it possible, it is quite common to shoot a lactating doe during the deer season. Although they might have weaned their young, maternal does can still have milk in their udders well into fall. In fact, the presence of milk is one of the things biologists commonly check for in hunter-harvested does. Checking for milk provides an index to the number of does that successfully raised fawns.

As for the other friend, I would offer to take any venison from a lactating that doe he fears might taste bad. Neither you nor he will be able to tell the difference.

— Recent Ask the Biologist Question:
Have you ever seen ticks on a velvet buck’s antlers?
Find Out The Answer!

Copyright 2024 by Buckmasters, Ltd.

Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd