Whats going on with whitetails?

3BP Member Joined Nov 2008 Posts 11385 EE 100% (3) OH, USA	Posted: 4/1/2024 8:04:36 PM EDT This year I saw more spotted fawns during hunting season than ever before. Today, I drove past a field with 20+ deer in it. One of them was a 6-8 point buck in bright hard horn. Im guessing he hasn't shed? I just read recently of other guys seeing buck s that haven't shed. What gives?
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TODD-67 Joined Nov 2020 Posts 964 EE 0% (0) USA	Posted: 4/1/2024 8:20:57 PM EDT [#1] I don't hunt anymore but I have noticed more than a few fawns switch spots still. I have not seen any antlers around here.

wideglidejoe Member Joined Nov 2012 Posts 1571 EE 0% (0) OK, USA	Posted: 4/1/2024 8:27:50 PM EDT [#2] I saw a medium size buck just last week that was a road kill that hadn’t shed yet.

Banditman Member Joined May 2007 Posts 36091 EE 100% (5) FL, USA	Posted: 4/1/2024 8:44:15 PM EDT [#3] Late Spring?
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Cycolac I'm not lazy, I just really enjoy doing nothing. Joined Mar 2019 Posts 11171 EE 100% (17) USA	Posted: 4/2/2024 2:56:21 AM EDT [#4] I'm guessing the moderate winters of the last couple years are having a big effect. Apparently the late births, moderate winters, and late mating cycle of the late births keep the testosterone flowing in the bucks which helps keep their antlers on their heads later in the spring. Just saw this one on 3/25: Attached File
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ZW17 Super Member Joined Mar 2003 Posts 46822 EE 100% (32) OH, USA	Posted: 4/2/2024 3:29:57 AM EDT [#5] I still have game cams out. I don’t have any horns on camera since over a month ago.
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Oldgold

Member

Joined Feb 2016
Posts 31771
EE 100% (36)

GA, USA

Posted: 4/2/2024 3:42:28 AM EDT

[#6]

When you have a high doe population, the rut gets extended. Used to be the main rut was mid November and a minor flurry in December. Now you have even later ruts extending into February in order to get all the does bred. Gestation period of about 200 days means you have fawns being born later into the summer. Does cycle into heat about every 28 days. This has been happening in the South for quite some time now. We have does being bred from September on. Plus those early fawns May get bred also the same year. Natures way of insuring survival.

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LoudLyle Member Joined Feb 2019 Posts 1402 EE 0% (0) MS, USA	Posted: 4/2/2024 6:39:43 AM EDT [#7] I saw spotted fawns here in Mississippi the week of Christmas. Pretty unusual for this area.

vatopa Member Joined Sep 2004 Posts 6033 EE 97% (39) VA, USA	Posted: 4/2/2024 7:07:07 AM EDT [#8] We have some bucks with horns here in southern VA. My brother sent me pics of one in Pa. Last week.

VaFish Joined Dec 2002 Posts 4503 EE 100% (13) VA, USA	Posted: 4/2/2024 10:15:03 PM EDT [#9] We still have some with antlers, although most of the bucks have shed them. Had one last year in February with antlers chasing a doe, my buddy shot her (was late antlerless season) and the buck came over and kept prodding her with his antlers to get up. Took a while for him to leave so my buddy could gut the doe. She was definitely still in estrus.

eclark53520

Joined Mar 2006
Posts 5973
EE 100% (8)

WI, USA

Posted: 4/11/2024 3:36:02 PM EDT

[#10]

Late fawns is a sign of imbalance in the deer herd. Too many doe.

The bucks aren't able to breed all of the doe the first round of estrus. If it's really bad, they can't do it the second round either. This will cause you to see more spotted fawns or very small fawns during hunting season.

Most likely solution is to kill more doe. However, a lot of those late fawns simply won't make it through winter.

vatopa Member Joined Sep 2004 Posts 6043 EE 97% (39) VA, USA	Posted: 4/14/2024 4:45:15 PM EDT [#11] Had the cameras out last week to check on turkey movements. Had a nice 6 point on camera. Full rack from last year.

Whats going on with whitetails?

Outdoors » Deer Hunting

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