Is there a correlation between more fawns and does and fewer bucks?

[huvrman]

This is the first year in four where I'm getting very few bucks on camera but seeing more does and fawns. Does the presence of does with fawns tend to keep bucks out of the area until later in the summer?

 

[ZachMarkus]

The areas where I have the most bucks on camera this time of year there will be very few does and vice versa. Just my experience anyways… I'd say your bucks are grouped up and feeding elsewhere.

 

[BSK]

This is the first year in four where I'm getting very few bucks on camera but seeing more does and fawns. Does the presence of does with fawns tend to keep bucks out of the area until later in the summer?

That is correct, especially while does are nursing fawns. The White-tailed Deer social dynamic places does raising fawns at the top of the dominance lists, most likely to ensure they have access to the best habitat. Bucks tend to be forced away to the lesser quality habitat at this time. In fact, in early summer it is common to see fairly severe sexual segregation, with does and fawns dominating one area, and bucks other areas.

 

[megalomaniac]

This is the first year in four where I'm getting very few bucks on camera but seeing more does and fawns. Does the presence of does with fawns tend to keep bucks out of the area until later in the summer?

That's a good thing most likely... an indirect indicator that your habitat has improved.

Of course the opposite could be true... your habitat has gotten a little worse, but your neighbors have gotten even worse than you :)

But like BSK said, does get the best habitat, and bucks get the leftovers.