There is really no way to know which doe to shoot. The only common sense things I've heard about does is to shoot ones with twin buttons because they won't relocate( but then you have more inbreeding)and if your genetics are bad in an area shoot the oldest does possible .
Here is the one thing that I think most people do. You have a herd of does in front of you, the biggest doe gets hammered.
Reason 1, probably not gonna be a button buck, and reason 2, I think guys feel better if they shot a huge doe instead of just a doe.
In general a bigger bodied doe and one that is mature will be able to pass on more in the milk than a younger or small doe. If you like
300+ lb bucks better leave the biggest bodied does out there.
We do have lots of data on cattle. A cow won't produce her biggest calves until at least 5. 1st calf heifers produce the smallest. They have even done studies that show that calves will not reach their genetic potential if they are born in stressful environment years, or the mother was younger and or stressed. In other words a buck might reach 160...was that his genetic potential? If he came from a young small doe it probably wasn't. Had that same buck been born to a 5-8 year old doe in a good environment he might have hit 200. Even though the genetics is there they need to get a great start in life or they won't reach their potential.(proven fact in cattle)
Cattle farmers know that calving heifers is a tough road. Many don't breed back well due to stresses abd their smaller bodies. This is also why 5 year old cow herds will bring the most money. Their calves WILL be better for many years.
A cattle farmer that raised heifers every year and sold his cows that hit 4 years old every year would be lucky to not go broke. This is how our deer herd has somewhat been treated shoot the biggest best does out there and leave the young ones. So don't shoot big does.
