22 Jun Does, Fawns and Your Landscape

Deer Prevention and Your Landscaping

It is fawn season!  Does have a 200-205-day gestation period so fawns are born from April through July, most in the month of June. We always see more deer grazing in homeowner landscapes this time of year. That means this is the time of year our phones start ringing!

When a doe delivers a fawn (or two or three!), she quickly moves it/them away from the birthing site. Fawns have no scent. Does move them away from the birthing area so predators will not find them. Does will actually split multiples to different locations for safety.

Does Seek Extra Nutrition During Fawn Season

Leaving the fawns in a safe location, she pursues nourishment for herself. She continues this practice for about a month at which time the fawns are strong enough to keep up with her and the multiple fawns are reunited.

To nurse one, two or three fawns the caloric intake for the doe increases. A doe’s caloric requirement in April may be 21,000 kcal/day, whereas in June it is 43,000 kcal/day. In autumn that calorie intake decreases to approximately 19,000 kcal/day.

Proteins, vitamins, and minerals are all essential to raising a healthy fawn. A doe will need to spend a lot of time browsing to provide this caloric increase, which is why our phones are ringing!

We always see more deer grazing in homeowner landscapes this time of year. Our spring and summer service is designed to move them away from your plants and on to other sources of nutrition.

Fall Ends Fawn Season, Begins Winter Stock Up

Fawns are usually weened in about 3-4 months, by October. At this time, a doe must think of storing fat for the winter months. Luckily, it is acorn season! If you have oak trees in your yard, you may see this activity as well.