Does Without Fawns

So far we've been seeing a lot of does without fawns. Very few of them had fawns with them this weekend (I only personally saw 2 with fawns). I've never seen this before where I hunt. Anyone else seeing the same?

Are you positive they are does? Could be button bucks that mama kicked out of the nest. I always send up a red flag when I see a slick head that is alone this time of the year.

I haven’t seen as many fawns as usual, and I’m seeing fewer does. Of course, that may change with colder weather. I wonder how many deer we lost to the Big Freeze?

I am lucky to have a 10% fawn survival. I have been watching, at least 7 different does, and this evening was the first fawn I seen this year. Thats why I don't shoot does.

Exactly. We don't shoot doe on the home place, however when we leased, we were very careful to inspect "doe" that were by themselves. Usually were nubbins that had been run off by momma.

We’re covered with deer in Mills, but the coyotes did some work this spring. I’ve got quite a few dry does.

My place is way different. Seems the fawn recruitment was quite high this year. Based on fawn numbers i am
going to have to take about 6-7 doe just to keep the numbers down. Good problem to have. I do have several button bucks in that fawn recruitment.

Last year I saw 3 fawn total and this year I wouldn't doubt we have 50, I've never seen so many deer at our place.

Not necessarily an indication of fawn survival. Depending on your area IF many of the Does are coming into estrous, many times they (the Does) will run the fawns off. And certainly when a buck is with a Doe (anytime prior to breeding her or she goes out of estrous) the buck will run off any fawns.

IF you haven't seen ANY fawns with does (in person or on camera) in the months prior to now....well that's a different story.

Saw a big doe without a fawn right around the start of legal shooting hours Saturday morning that ended up being the only doe I saw all weekend.

Saw 6 does this afternoon . Only one had a fawn.

I had about 8 does, every one with single or double fawns, on my ranch this evening. I control the predator population here by trapping and it makes quite a difference in fawn survival.

They were definitely does. It's very unusual on this place this time of year.
I also saw 5 coyotes Sunday morning, which is also unusual. I wondered how much, if any, those two things may be connected. I don't know yet if that was just a weird day or if we'll continue to see more coyotes. I was able to get one of the coyotes.

I haven't seen a doe without a fawn yet this season. In the last two weeks I have been seeing a few fawns coming to the feeders by their self. I know that usually happens when the does start coming into heat.

Worst fawn crop I've have seen on my ranch in 20 years. Maybe 15-20% survival rate. Usually a bad year is 40%.

I have yet to see a fawn this year. very unusual.