Whitetail fawns are
usually born in May or June. The first 48 hours of life
are critical to their survival. But, if the mother
suffers from poor nutrition, which is usually caused by
severe winters or poor growing seasons, the fawn's chance
of survival are reduced. After the first two days the
fawn has a good chance of survival and will more than
likely enter the deer population the following fall.
The Whitetail fawn generally weighs between 4 and 8
pounds at birth. During the first few weeks of life the
doe will determine the general location that the fawn
will stay. They have a reddish coat at birth and are
covered with spots. These spots provide camouflage that
helps the fawn blend in with it's surroundings. The spots
disappear when their winter coat develops, but, some late
born fawns may still have spots after the hunting season
begins. If danger is near, the fawn will lie completely
motionless and let it pass by. It goes unnoticed by the
predator because it is completely odorless for the first
few days. The doe will stay away from the fawn, only
returning for nursing, so her odor does not give away
its location.
It is imperative that humans avoid all contact with fawns
they encounter in the field. These animals are not
orphans or abandoned, they are left alone for the reason
explained above. Many times the mother is nearby when we
as concerned people actually kidnap the fawn. Some, if not
most, animals will not take young back that have come in
contact with humans. Some does are killed by automobiles
and the fawns are left alone, this is the exception not
the rule. Please, let nature take its course. |
