How do you tell the age of a doe?

[Dave_]

I disagree. A 3.5 is going to be a little more tender and tastier than an 8.5.

x2

[GarGuy]

I can usually get a good idea by how many trips through the tenderizer it takes.

[RascalArms]

All this depends on your management "GOALS" and knowing your deer herd.

Our "GOAL" the past couple of years is to put more bucks on the ground. To help acheive this goal we have been targeting young does (fawns and yearlings) old/older does typically produce twins each year where as most young does produce single fawns. Having more twins means having more bucks.

X2 with a twist.
The best way to control quality is the selective harvesting of bucks....which ones to take...which ones NOT to take. Harvesting a doe is the best way to control quantity NOT quality. Big difference.

A lot depends on the carrying capacity of the land.

[rwurz]

The young ones are kinda cute. The old horse faced ones are just butt ugly.

Yes sir, happens to the best of them.

[Eastonoutdoors]

Shoot it and if it tender then it was young, if it is tough then it is a old one.