need explanation on doe behavior

[tellicoriver]

In the past 30 mins, keep in mind I can see a lot of area from my house but I justseen 4 pointer and one doe, four girls running around in field, two down on river bottom, five doe by pond. So my question is, where are their fawns right now. Where do the fawns go during this rut period.

 

[BSK]

In the past 30 mins, keep in mind I can see a lot of area from my house but I justseen 4 pointer and one doe, four girls running around in field, two down on river bottom, five doe by pond. So my question is, where are their fawns right now. Where do the fawns go during this rut period.

Unless the does are actually in estrus, if they have surviving fawns, the fawns will be at their side. Does only separate themselves from their fawns for the 24-48 hours that they are actually in estrus.

If you are seing no fawns with doe social groups right now, I suspect your fawn survival is extremely low.

 

[Jimmy1320]

Agree with BSK

 

[Bayou Buck]

Are you sure some of those deer arent the fawns. Some of my fawns are almost the size of their mothers already.

 

[Winchester]

Are you sure some of those deer arent the fawns. Some of my fawns are almost the size of their mothers already.

Good point. We didnt end up having a very good fawn crop here this year.

 

[Football Hunter]

Are you sure some of those deer arent the fawns. Some of my fawns are almost the size of their mothers already.

Good point. We didnt end up having a very good fawn crop here this year.

My first thought too

 

[Kingston]

A 1-1/2 year old doe with fawn(s) can be very hard to distinguish which is which.

 

[BSK]

Unfortunately, we too did not have a very good fawn crop. I really though last year's (2011) much better fawn crop than in the previous three years (2008-10) was the real turning point, and fawn survival was on the upswing. But our fawn recruitment this is year is abysmal.

 

[Andy S.]

But our fawn recruitment this is year is abysmal.

Any idea why this may be Bryan?

 

[tellicoriver]

I've seen a lot of fawns thus far. I border the mountains on tellico river, nice valley with river bottoms. Most of our fawns were born second week of June. I am seeing new doe to area With what looked like a month old fawn with spots. They all seemed mature does. Is this a mountain thing where doe herds migrate to river bottoms for breeding period.

 

[BSK]

But our fawn recruitment this is year is abysmal.

Any idea why this may be Bryan?

Not yet. I have ideas but not enough data to back any particular conclusion.

 

[Timber Ghost]

But our fawn recruitment this is year is abysmal.

Any idea why this may be Bryan?

Not yet. I have ideas but not enough data to back any particular conclusion.

Not looking at coyotes are you?

 

[BSK]

But our fawn recruitment this is year is abysmal.

Any idea why this may be Bryan?

Not yet. I have ideas but not enough data to back any particular conclusion.

Not looking at coyotes are you?

That's one possibility.

 

[OnceMoreIntoTheFray]

I think coyotes are the problem in my area. Saw 2 chasing a small spike couple weeks ago. we were able to run the coyotes off. we tried to hunt them that afternoon but never saw them. but i agree does and fawns are getting kind of hard to distinguish from a distance.