Hunting House » Hunting Season » White deer,what would you do?
White deer,what would you do?
Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> There has been a white fawn seen around my property. It’s mostly all > white but has brown on its legs. I haven’t gotten a good enough look to > see if it’s a buck or a doe. I have a friend that hunts a young doe for > me for my freezer every year and he takes a buck if it’s 8 or better. > The hunters on the farms around me usually go by that rule also.When I > talk to these guys about this white deer, they just kinda don’t say > weather they would shoot it if it is a button buck. I would like to see > this deer grow up another year, but I would also like to have a white > deer hide. How many hunters would pass on this deer in hopes he makes it > another year? I kinda think he won’t make it this year so I am thinking > about having my friend take it IF he gets a chance. Would you shoot a > white button buck? Assuming you are not a hunter that shoots anything > with anysize antlers, just to say you "got a buck". I am in indiana, so > I have about a week to decide. By the way, this friend of mine also told > me that seven states have laws that say you can’t shoot a true albino( > pink eyes). Anybody ever hear of that? He thinks that is a stupid law > because it encourages abnormalities in the deer herd. Thanks for your > opinions. Theresa > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
one way to handle it… would be to just let the people hunting decide what they want to do. I don’t think there’s a sound argument for trying to save albino animals… they’re at a disadvantage. In northern MN, this mystical beautiful animal would likely end up as a feast for a pack of timber wolves. And no, I’m not kidding… wolves may still be nationally "endangered", but there are a LOT of wolf tracks, and piles of wolf… shall I say "scat" where I hunt, and every one of them has deer hair in it. But that’s nature, I’d rather hunt in a woods that has some predators hunting deer while I am. Personally, I don’t think I’d shoot a fawn… . At the same time, I have no qualms with anyone who wants to take one, and eat some really tender venison. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
for what it’s worth, there was a show on the discovery channel the other night about deer, and they said that white deer seldom live very long anyway due to it’s lack of camouflage. predators generally get it before it gets big. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In Illinois it is illegal to kill an albino deer but it is legal to kill a > white deer if it has any brown on it. We know someone who killed such a > deer and he suffered a lot of abuse about it. A white doe, no one was sure > if she was albino or not, lived in our area for several years. She had two > fawns every year- one regular and one white. It usually had a little brown > on it but no one took them. There were people who would drive for miles > just to watch them come out and feed because it was so unusual to see white > deer. The one that was shot, well, the brown couldn’t be seen until it was > dead and belly-up. There are local hunters that still won’t talk to the > family over it. So—just how badly do you want a white deer? Personally- > I’ll take 35mm pics with the huge telephoto lens we have for just such > things. I don’t want anything on my wall other than a doe with dark ears > (she’s been a troublemaker for years) or a buck bigger than my man’s 12 pt. > And about encouraging abnormalities- a nontypical rack is also an > abnormality. What does your friend think about them? To follow his logic > we would need a law protecting the typical racks in order to weed out the > naturally occuring nontypicals. Albinism occcurs much less than nontypical > racks do and the coyotes take care of the white ones since they can’t hide > as well. > Well, it’s just my opinion, anyway. >From east central Illinois: Dalanne
Regarding the part about "We know someone who killed such a deer and he suffered a lot of abuse about it." and "There are local hunters that still won’t talk to the family over it." ….that’s just outrageous, and a little bit funny! ("I won’t speak to you, or members of your family anymore, because you shot a white deer." LOL!) Lighten up a bit! Personally, I’d say that’s a blessing in disguise for your friend & his family, because those people aren’t worth talking to anyway! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
A white(piebald) deer definetely isn’t gonna hurt the population or gene pool. It’s just that, a ressesive gene that many deer have but we just don’t see it till the "odds" play out. Personally, if it was in the Nov. shotgun i’d take it as that is usually when I start hunting for meat. During bow season if it was a fawn or mom I would let it pass. On our farm two year ago there was a fawn that looked pretty wild that several of us saw, it was a noticeble light greyish coat. Anyone else seen any of these. We didnt’ see him long, only through the early bow season. He definetely caught you eye. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> There has been a white fawn seen around my property. It’s mostly all > white but has brown on its legs. [ snip ] > I kinda think he won’t make it this year so I am thinking > about having my friend take it IF he gets a chance. Would you shoot a > white button buck? [ snip ] > By the way, this friend of mine also told > me that seven states have laws that say you can’t shoot a true albino( > pink eyes). Anybody ever hear of that? He thinks that is a stupid law > because it encourages abnormalities in the deer herd. Thanks for your > opinions. Theresa
In Illinois it is specifically illegal to kill a "white deer". The regulations don’t say "true albino", they say "white deer". -jc- Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> Woody says – > Nope, but I wouldn’t shoot any fawn. I don’t blame anyone who does shoot any > legal deer though. > Rick says – Woody, you’re missing a treat. Due to overpopulation, in > Wisconsin last year hunters throught most of the state could take some 6+ > deer via archery and firearm. I had the opportunity to try some "garden fed > fawn" and it was the best venison I’ve ever tasted. True, the tenderloins > were the size of hot dogs, but you cut them with your fork.
I don’t eat a whole lot of deer. I usually end up giving it to my church’s food pantry. I would rather let that button grow up to be a mature animal that presents a different type of hunting challenge. Like I said, I wouldn’t brow beat anyone for killing as many legal deer a year that they could use. > Did culling the heard work? This year only about have the state can take 6+ > deer. Most of the rest of the state can "only" take 4+!
Sounds like they are on the right track. Indiana’s yearly take is more antlerless than antlered. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Woody Says – > Yep that’s a stupid law built around the public view that "Ain’t that white > deer cute". They are genetic freak that has gene that you really don’t wnat > pased on to the herd. > Rick says – aside from the cuteness factor, there are certain Native > American bands that hold white deer and bear sacred. I’m pretty sure that > some of the regulations around the harvest of white animals pertains to > those believe – similar to some states "blue laws" for devout Christians. > It does go against most natural resource management philosophies of managing > a strong herd, but if that’s the worst regulation I have to deal with, then > I’m a happy camper.
I don’t see too many laws passed for that reason. You are correct in there are too many "blue laws". > "If your computer beats you at chess, try kick-boxing."
I like it! WW If you’re too busy tohunt, you’re too busy Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
To me, it would depend on how it fit into the management plan of the ranch I hunt on. In other words, if it was a doe without a yearling, I would probaly shoot it; a doe with a yearling, I’d leave it. If it were a buck, it would depend on whether it was a trophy, a cull, or one to be left to develop. In other words, I would treat it the same way I would a deer of any other color. — + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Chris Barnes AOL IM: cnbarnes Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
In Illinois it is illegal to kill an albino deer but it is legal to kill a white deer if it has any brown on it. We know someone who killed such a deer and he suffered a lot of abuse about it. A white doe, no one was sure if she was albino or not, lived in our area for several years. She had two fawns every year- one regular and one white. It usually had a little brown on it but no one took them. There were people who would drive for miles just to watch them come out and feed because it was so unusual to see white deer. The one that was shot, well, the brown couldn’t be seen until it was dead and belly-up. There are local hunters that still won’t talk to the family over it. So—just how badly do you want a white deer? Personally- I’ll take 35mm pics with the huge telephoto lens we have for just such things. I don’t want anything on my wall other than a doe with dark ears (she’s been a troublemaker for years) or a buck bigger than my man’s 12 pt. And about encouraging abnormalities- a nontypical rack is also an abnormality. What does your friend think about them? To follow his logic we would need a law protecting the typical racks in order to weed out the naturally occuring nontypicals. Albinism occcurs much less than nontypical racks do and the coyotes take care of the white ones since they can’t hide as well. Well, it’s just my opinion, anyway. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->From east central Illinois: Dalanne —– Original Message —– Newsgroups: rec.hunting Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 5:51 AM > There has been a white fawn seen around my property. It’s mostly all > white but has brown on its legs. I haven’t gotten a good enough look to > see if it’s a buck or a doe. I have a friend that hunts a young doe for > me for my freezer every year and he takes a buck if it’s 8 or better. > The hunters on the farms around me usually go by that rule also.When I > talk to these guys about this white deer, they just kinda don’t say > weather they would shoot it if it is a button buck. I would like to see > this deer grow up another year, but I would also like to have a white > deer hide. How many hunters would pass on this deer in hopes he makes it > another year? I kinda think he won’t make it this year so I am thinking > about having my friend take it IF he gets a chance. Would you shoot a > white button buck? Assuming you are not a hunter that shoots anything > with anysize antlers, just to say you "got a buck". I am in indiana, so > I have about a week to decide. By the way, this friend of mine also told > me that seven states have laws that say you can’t shoot a true albino( > pink eyes). Anybody ever hear of that? He thinks that is a stupid law > because it encourages abnormalities in the deer herd. Thanks for your > opinions. Theresa > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>Would you shoot a white button buck?=20
Native American folklore, as I understand it, says it is bad luck to shoot the white deer, regardless of sex or size. It meant unsuccessful hunts in the future if it were to be kiilled. James Outdoors Magazine For the better hunter, angler and trapper www.vermontoutdoors.com Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Woody says – Nope, but I wouldn’t shoot any fawn. I don’t blame anyone who does shoot any legal deer though. Rick says – Woody, you’re missing a treat. Due to overpopulation, in Wisconsin last year hunters throught most of the state could take some 6+ deer via archery and firearm. I had the opportunity to try some "garden fed fawn" and it was the best venison I’ve ever tasted. True, the tenderloins were the size of hot dogs, but you cut them with your fork. Did culling the heard work? This year only about have the state can take 6+ deer. Most of the rest of the state can "only" take 4+! Woody Says – Yep that’s a stupid law built around the public view that "Ain’t that white deer cute". They are genetic freak that has gene that you really don’t wnat pased on to the herd. Rick says – aside from the cuteness factor, there are certain Native American bands that hold white deer and bear sacred. I’m pretty sure that some of the regulations around the harvest of white animals pertains to those believe – similar to some states "blue laws" for devout Christians. It does go against most natural resource management philosophies of managing a strong herd, but if that’s the worst regulation I have to deal with, then I’m a happy camper. "If your computer beats you at chess, try kick-boxing." – Rick Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
In Wisconsin, it’s illegal to take a true albino. If there is some brown on it it’s ok. Whatever you do, first check with your DNR. A few years ago, someone shot an albino saying it had a brown spot on its head. The brown was dirt from rubbing. He lost the deer and I believe, his hunting privileges. I’ve no opinion either way on what you should do. Personally, I would like to see one in the wild just because it’s unusual. With all the thousands of deer we have, a few albinos certainly won’t hurt the gene pool. And yes, I would shoot a button buck. I got my first deer last fall and I called him a "bucklet". I hunt for meat, not for antlers or trophies. The younger ones are delicious. Sue
property. It’s mostly all > white but has brown on its legs. <snip>
How many hunters would pass on this deer in hopes he makes it > another year? Would you shoot a > white button buck? Assuming you are not a hunter that shoots anything > with anysize antlers, just to say you "got a buck". I am in indiana, so
<snip> seven states have laws that say you can’t shoot a true albino( > pink eyes). Anybody ever hear of that? He thinks that is a stupid law > because it encourages abnormalities in the deer herd. Thanks for your > opinions. Theresa
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Oklahoma’s hunting regulations state the following…"It is unlawful to kill a white deer without specific written permission of the Department director." I don’t really recall what any other states may say, but I would definately check the regulations before harvesting it – if that is in fact what you want to do. I think I would be inclined to not harvest it (atleast for the time being), but only if you could get your neighbors to abide by the same. It sure would be something to see how it grows. Take care, and good luck. RS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > —– Original Message —– > There has been a white fawn seen around my property. It’s mostly all > white but has brown on its legs. I haven’t gotten a good enough look > to > see if it’s a buck or a doe. I have a friend that hunts a young doe > for > me for my freezer every year and he takes a buck if it’s 8 or > better. > The hunters on the farms around me usually go by that rule also.When > I > talk to these guys about this white deer, they just kinda don’t say > weather they would shoot it if it is a button buck. I would like to > see > this deer grow up another year, but I would also like to have a > white > deer hide. How many hunters would pass on this deer in hopes he > makes it > another year? I kinda think he won’t make it this year so I am > thinking > about having my friend take it IF he gets a chance. Would you shoot > a > white button buck? Assuming you are not a hunter that shoots > anything > with anysize antlers, just to say you "got a buck". I am in indiana, > so > I have about a week to decide. By the way, this friend of mine also > told > me that seven states have laws that say you can’t shoot a true > albino( > pink eyes). Anybody ever hear of that? He thinks that is a stupid > law > because it encourages abnormalities in the deer herd. Thanks for > your > opinions. Theresa > If the hunting near you is anything like it is in most of PA, I > would tell your friend to take the shot, if it occurs. If he doesn’t, > then someone else will. Several albinos and piebalds are taken in this > area every year, and it seems there are always a few next year. I > believe that albinism is a recessive gene in all deer, as the parents > of albinos are usually of normal color. I saw one normally colored doe > once, with two albino fawns walking through the snow. I would have > given my right leg for a camera at the time! > As to the law, I’ve never heard of a law against shooting albinos, > (except in Olney. IL, where you can’t shoot white squirrels). As for > "abnormal" deer, I assume he was talking more about genetic defects > like inbreeding, which would be taken care of naturally, as a "slow" > deer, or one with a deformity would be easy prey for preditors, > including hunters. > Would I take an albino? Gee, I don’t know… Maybe if it was an > adult. I don’t think I would shoot a yearling still with it’s mom…. > Bob > Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it. > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text —— Original Message —– > There has been a white fawn seen around my property. It’s mostly all > white but has brown on its legs. I haven’t gotten a good enough look to > see if it’s a buck or a doe. I have a friend that hunts a young doe for > me for my freezer every year and he takes a buck if it’s 8 or better. > The hunters on the farms around me usually go by that rule also.When I > talk to these guys about this white deer, they just kinda don’t say > weather they would shoot it if it is a button buck. I would like to see > this deer grow up another year, but I would also like to have a white > deer hide. How many hunters would pass on this deer in hopes he makes it > another year? I kinda think he won’t make it this year so I am thinking > about having my friend take it IF he gets a chance. Would you shoot a > white button buck? Assuming you are not a hunter that shoots anything > with anysize antlers, just to say you "got a buck". I am in indiana, so > I have about a week to decide. By the way, this friend of mine also told > me that seven states have laws that say you can’t shoot a true albino( > pink eyes). Anybody ever hear of that? He thinks that is a stupid law > because it encourages abnormalities in the deer herd. Thanks for your > opinions. Theresa
If the hunting near you is anything like it is in most of PA, I would tell your friend to take the shot, if it occurs. If he doesn’t, then someone else will. Several albinos and piebalds are taken in this area every year, and it seems there are always a few next year. I believe that albinism is a recessive gene in all deer, as the parents of albinos are usually of normal color. I saw one normally colored doe once, with two albino fawns walking through the snow. I would have given my right leg for a camera at the time! As to the law, I’ve never heard of a law against shooting albinos, (except in Olney. IL, where you can’t shoot white squirrels). As for "abnormal" deer, I assume he was talking more about genetic defects like inbreeding, which would be taken care of naturally, as a "slow" deer, or one with a deformity would be easy prey for preditors, including hunters. Would I take an albino? Gee, I don’t know… Maybe if it was an adult. I don’t think I would shoot a yearling still with it’s mom…. Bob Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I’d let it go by me. Too interesting to take. One reason we bow hunt is to enjoy the beauty of nature. This would be something unusual to watch for. Just my humble opinion Jim from Ohio Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
if it has any brown on it at all, it is most likely not albino, but what we in New England refer to as piebald. Personally, I would have no hesitation harvesting it. It is an easy target for predators and if I recall college biology, in general, albinos or other "mutations" aren’t bred. It would make a nice pelt, and the meat will be delicious…. God Bless America Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Theresa said – There has been a white fawn seen around my property. It’s mostly all white but has brown on its legs. I haven’t gotten a good enough look to see if it’s a buck or a doe. Woody says – The fawn having brown on his legs makes it a piebald deer and not a true albino. Theresa said – I have a friend that hunts a young doe for me for my freezer every year and he takes a buck if it’s 8 or better. The hunters on the farms around me usually go by that rule also.When I talk to these guys about this white deer, they just kinda don’t say weather they would shoot it if it is a button buck. I would like to see this deer grow up another year, but I would also like to have a white deer hide. Woody says – A "rule" should be a rule no matter what the color is. Theresa said – How many hunters would pass on this deer in hopes he makes it another year? Woody Says – Very few would pass him/her up. It is a unique animal. BUT – It’s still a fawn. Theresa said – I kinda think he won’t make it this year so I am thinking about having my friend take it IF he gets a chance. Woody Says – Very few white or piebald deer make it past the first hunting season. They are too easy to spot by hunters, 2 and 4 legged varieties. Theresa asked – Would you shoot a white button buck? Woody says – Nope, but I wouldn’t shoot any fawn. I don’t blame anyone who does shoot any legal deer though. Theresa said – Assuming you are not a hunter that shoots anything with any size antlers, just to say you "got a buck". Woody Says – A button buck is a stretch to say "I got my buck". If someone told me that I’d say," Sure. His head will really look good on the wall, won’t he?" Theresa said – I am in indiana, so I have about a week to decide. Woody says – Me too. If my X bow gets here in time I’ll be hunting. I’ve got a bum shoulder. The Doc called it rotator cuff impingement, I call it PAIN. Theresa said – By the way, this friend of mine also told me that seven states have laws that say you can’t shoot a true albino( pink eyes). Anybody ever hear of that? He thinks that is a stupid law because it encourages abnormalities in the deer herd. Thanks for your opinions. Woody Says – Yep that’s a stupid law built around the public view that "Ain’t that white deer cute". They are genetic freak that has gene that you really don’t wnat pased on to the herd. I know a hunter that once killed a 6 point white buck and received death threats for doing it. Several years ago at a Harmony Park deer cull, hunters were forbidden to kill any of the three white deer in the park. Again, to appease the public. Whether or not to shoot any deer is a personal decision. I wouldn’t blame anyone who wanted to kill it, but I wouldn’t heap too much praise on them either. After all a fawn is a fawn. WW If you’re too busy to hunt, you’re too busy Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
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I shot an albino button buck on my land a 4 years ago. I was informed the DEC was happy to see it taken to get the recessive genes taken out of the gene pool. I ate the meat and had a full body mount done. P.S. I asked(not politely) 6 hunters to leave my posted land the first morning who were hunting the "white" deer. By the way, less than 1 mile from my property there are twin albino’s this year. I saw them last week. Some states have laws against shooting them but not NY. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > There has been a white fawn seen around my property. It’s mostly all > white but has brown on its legs. I haven’t gotten a good enough look to > see if it’s a buck or a doe. I have a friend that hunts a young doe for > me for my freezer every year and he takes a buck if it’s 8 or better. > The hunters on the farms around me usually go by that rule also.When I > talk to these guys about this white deer, they just kinda don’t say > weather they would shoot it if it is a button buck. I would like to see > this deer grow up another year, but I would also like to have a white > deer hide. How many hunters would pass on this deer in hopes he makes it > another year? I kinda think he won’t make it this year so I am thinking > about having my friend take it IF he gets a chance. Would you shoot a > white button buck? Assuming you are not a hunter that shoots anything > with anysize antlers, just to say you "got a buck". I am in indiana, so > I have about a week to decide. By the way, this friend of mine also told > me that seven states have laws that say you can’t shoot a true albino( > pink eyes). Anybody ever hear of that? He thinks that is a stupid law > because it encourages abnormalities in the deer herd. Thanks for your > opinions. Theresa
Theresa, Your friend is right, it is illegal 2 shoot a true Albino(ie:pink eyes-clear hooves ect.) in some states.You are also right.It is a genetic defect, a recessive gene.I would pass on it if its a button, if it had 4 or more points I’d take it & have a full body mount done. If its a doe it’ll make a cool rug for the wall.Good Luck. CUTTER Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
There has been a white fawn seen around my property. It’s mostly all white but has brown on its legs. I haven’t gotten a good enough look to see if it’s a buck or a doe. I have a friend that hunts a young doe for me for my freezer every year and he takes a buck if it’s 8 or better. The hunters on the farms around me usually go by that rule also.When I talk to these guys about this white deer, they just kinda don’t say weather they would shoot it if it is a button buck. I would like to see this deer grow up another year, but I would also like to have a white deer hide. How many hunters would pass on this deer in hopes he makes it another year? I kinda think he won’t make it this year so I am thinking about having my friend take it IF he gets a chance. Would you shoot a white button buck? Assuming you are not a hunter that shoots anything with anysize antlers, just to say you "got a buck". I am in indiana, so I have about a week to decide. By the way, this friend of mine also told me that seven states have laws that say you can’t shoot a true albino( pink eyes). Anybody ever hear of that? He thinks that is a stupid law because it encourages abnormalities in the deer herd. Thanks for your opinions. Theresa Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/