Reproduction

Like a whitetails diet, reproduction varies from state to state.  Although other than a few states in the south, breeding is typically done from October to December.  This is critical in the cold climate states of the north for the proper nourishment the does and fawns will need for survival.  A doe will also need quality food to produce rich milk for her offspring.

Most whitetail deer mate in their second year, although some females occasionally mate during their first year.  Does generally come into heat around November for a short 24 hour period.  If she is not bred, a second estrus occurs about 28 days later.  Gestation on average is 200 days.  Typically a first year fawn will give birth to a single offspring.  In subsequent years does will generally give birth to 2-3 fawns.  When born, buck fawns weigh between 4 and 14 pounds, and doe fawns 3-8 pounds.  Does will lick their offspring clean after birth to keep them scent free.  This helps the fawns from being detected from predators.  The first two weeks of a fawns life are critical.  If  a fawn can make it to two weeks they will double in size and their chance of survival is greatly increased.  Fawns are able to walk shortly after birth and nibble on vegetation .  Fawns will nurse 2-3 times per day for the first few days after birth.  At about one month  fawns start to join their mother when she goes to eat.  Whitetail fawns are weaned on average from 8-10 weeks.  Doe fawns typically stay in the general area of their mothers for their entire life.  Buck fawns will either leave their birth area in the spring or will be forced to move out in the fall by their mother and other related females.