• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • TSCRA Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Young Cattle Raisers
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
    • Students and Youth
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Summer Meeting
    • Policy Conference
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Join
  • Member Center
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

New crop of white-tailed deer beginning to emerge

Source: Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Most fawns in Oklahoma are about a month old at this point. Typically born in late May or early June, the first few weeks of their lives are fairly secretive.
Fawns are often hidden in dense cover to avoid predation, but by now, they are getting a little more daring and beginning to travel with the doe.
“For the past few weeks you may have noticed small, cloven tracks in soft soil indicating white-tailed deer fawns are on the ground,” said Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension wildlife specialist. “Look for them at this time near dense cover in early morning or late afternoon.”
June is a taxing time for lactating does, as they must not only meet their own nutritional needs but also those of one, two and occasionally, three fawns.
Fortunately, early summer is a time of abundance.
“Most plants are actively growing and are palatable due to high protein levels and low lignin, chemical defenses and silicate levels,” he said. “At this time of year, white-tailed deer are relying heavily on forbs, which are broad-leaved herbaceous plants.”
Assuming the doe is able to find sufficient food resources, fawns will grow rapidly. With that in mind, landowners should carefully consider their herbicide and mowing plans as it could be removing not only critical cover, but also food for white-tailed deer and other wildlife, such as eastern cottontail and northern bobwhite.
“Occasionally, you may stumble upon a hidden solitary fawn. If so, resist the urge to rescue it, and leave it alone,” Elmore said. “The doe is nearby and is patiently waiting for you to move along so she can nurse the fawn.”
Once the fawn is about 10 weeks old, it will be weaned and will forage with the doe for the remainder of the summer and into the fall. The recent rains across the state have dramatically improved forage quantity and should help with fawn survival this season, ensuring a new crop of white-tailed deer on the hoof.

Written by:
kristin
Published on:
June 17, 2016

Categories: Wildlife

Recent Posts

Crime Watch: Heifers missing near Ennis

March 21, 2023

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Robert Pemberton, District 10 in …

Continue Reading about Crime Watch: Heifers missing near Ennis

Texas crop progress and condition for March 20

March 21, 2023

Most of the state received from trace amounts to 2 inches of precipitation last week, with areas of …

Continue Reading about Texas crop progress and condition for March 20

Cow-calf Corner: Benefits of estrus synchronization and artificial insemination

March 21, 2023

Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist Regardless …

Continue Reading about Cow-calf Corner: Benefits of estrus synchronization and artificial insemination

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
TSCRA Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Young Cattle Raisers
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Media Kit
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE