Will fawns survive if the doe is harvested?
Filed under: Ask Grant, Deer Management
I see does and fawns all the time while hunting, but it always seems the mature does have fawns. And I always end up talking myself out of shooting a doe with fawns. Will the fawns be able to survive without a mother? Any other tips on managing the deer herd would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Wheeler Brewster
Wheeler,
Most state agencies don’t allow doe harvest until most fawns are old enough to survive should the doe be removed. It’s often necessary to remove does to balance the number of deer with the habitat’s potential to produce quality forage in many areas. This has been a standard practice for decades in most states and the deer herds have thrived!
If there are more deer than the habitat where you hunt can produce quality forage or if the adult buck:doe ratio is out of balance in favor of does I suggest you tag some does and allow you and your family to enjoy fresh venison while helping the deer herd!
Enjoy creation,
Grant
