The fawns are here!

Everyone thinks whitetail deer fawns are cute and playful; and they are! Early summer is a time of plenty in the deer woods, but there are many dangers as well, especially for vulnerable newborn fawns. During the first few weeks of life, the fawn’s main defense against predators is to hide.

Recently I saw a whitetail fawn beside his mother at the Kootenai National Refuge. He appeared to be only a few hours old and had trouble walking and keeping up with her, but followed the mother’s lead and was soon gone from my vision, vanishing in the grassy meadows.

For the first few days to a week, newborn fawns may spend 90 to 95 percent of their time bedded, although they may stand occasionally to stretch or shift bedding sites. When bedded the fawn will either lie curled in a tight circle or rest with its head up, alert for danger.

By the end of June most of this year’s fawns are on the ground. A doe goes into estrus in the fall and usually gives birth approximately 200 days after conception. Both mule deer and whitetail does deliver one to three fawns (normally two). A doe will usually produce a single fawn the first year she gives birth and then produce twins in following years.

The fawn, colored reddish with white spots for camouflage, weighs about 4 to 8 pounds at birth. There may be several hundred spots on the coat. The spots enable the fawn to camouflage itself, with the colors blending well with the surrounding natural environment. It must nurse within the first hour and stand within the first 12 hours.

During early weeks of life, the fawn sees its mother only at mealtimes for feeding. A fawn generally loses its spots by the end of October of the same year it was born. The spots begin to fade by the end of the first month. Fawns usually stay with their mother for the first full year.

Did you know?

- Newborn fawns typically can stand and nurse within 30 minutes

- Fawns are capable of walking within a few hours

- Does generally move their fawns away from the birthing site within 3 hours

- Does with twins typically hide them in thick cover in separate locations

- Mothers usually remain within 100 yards of their fawns

- Fawns spend 90 percent of their time bedded for the first weeks of their lives

- Newborn fawns typically nurse 2 or 3 times daily; increasing to 6 to 8 times

- Nursing times average 20 to 30 minutes

- A 3-week old fawn can outrun most danger

- Twins are usually reunited and bed close to each other by 3-4 weeks.

As with many social animals, play is a very important part of a fawn’s social and physical development. Play helps fawns strengthen their muscles and reflexes that are critical for escaping predators. During play, fawns dash about in tight circles around their mother or twin, and may toss their head, buck or jump. Often a fawn may engage its mother or a twin in a short game of play. On many occasions I’ve seen a fawn run around its mother or twin, stop in front and solicit participation by backing up and shaking its head from side to side as if to say “Come on, chase me!” Then the doe or twin fawn will oblige and participate in a quick game of chase.

After watching these beautiful young animals I thought how wonderful it is to live in Boundary County where there is an abundance of wildlife and to appreciate their habitat. I have to remind myself of the importance of not interfering with their environment and keeping a safe distance.

Discover Boundary County wildlife. Enjoy the outdoors!