First fawns of the year reports are starting here in the mid-lower great lakes region.
Doe have staked out ,claimed and been defending fawning sites.
Putting last years fawns , chased away. Some of which will have fawns of thier own if bred last year.
Meanwhile those last years fawns are hanging on the fringe beyond the defensive doe , if not bumped farther away by other doe claiming the areas they wander into.
The more experienced and dominate doe , claim the better areas.
Making for a tough time of year for some deer.
Who often find more trouble than they seek. Vehicle traffic is one example.
Those young can be seen loitering , about in daylight ; and in areas deer are not seen later in the year.
It's not uncommon for me to jump one on the edge of the yard where forest edge has browse this time of year.
It's mother likely within a quarter mile with her new fawn(s) in the niche habitat that will provide her nutrition and the fawns as it gets weaned. Meanwhile last years fawn remains on the in-betweens.
They'll reunite in time if all survive. If not , they'll ease around other deer again late summer , on if available , share by utilizing preferred browse for that time of year.
Multiple fawns on the ground is best for the odds of an individuals survival.
But breeding runs over an extended period of time , and thus birthing times.
Older doe often first. Last years doe fawns that were successfully bred last. Roughly.
But , an older doe that didn't take first breeding estrous can come into season again a month later. (Fawns I don't know if they can/do a second time.) They (fawn doe) often are coming into first heat in Dec.. Which is getting late for later birthing. It avoids dropping a fawn in a prolonged winter ending /cold and poor nutrition early spring though. Maybe natures way of hedging it's bets.
First time young doe momma's have a rough go of sites to fawn on if there is competition , and lack experience. They are important though as a year class.
A severe winter can create high fawn mortality both in fawning time , fawn condition due to winter stress on doe , and when new of the year fawns face thier first winter before being called "yearlings" when /if they reach thier first birthday...
Gaps in age classes due to an individual high winter related mortality on a fawn class can (well , has to) have effect on future generations numbers.
