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Parenthood
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Healthy whitetail deer are prolific breeders. At least half of all female fawns breed by age 6 months. Breeding begins in mid-October; it peaks in mid-to-late November for adults, and about one month later for fawns. Bucks mate with several does each year, with as many as 20 having been noted under pen conditions. After a gestation period of about 201 days, fawns are born from early May through late September with about 60% of the total born in June. Virtually all adult deer produce young, generally a single fawn in a year. About 10% produce twins. When does are older, the bearing of twins increases to 67%; 21% have single fawns and 12% have triplets. Approximately 140 fawns are born for every 100 does in the population.
Birth weight for female fawns averages 5-1/2 pounds; males average 7-1/2 pounds. The fawn can walk shortly after birth, but stays close to its mother for several days. A fawn's coat is similar to an adult's, but has several hundred white spots along the back. This dappling provides camouflage in the shadows and thickets beneath trees. The spots gradually disappear when the deer is three to four months old.
At 2 - 3 weeks of age, fawns begin eating vegetation in addition to nursing. They are weaned at about four months but can survive without milk at three months or less. About 30% of fawns do not survive until fall.
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Antlers
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Only bucks have antlers. Rack development is controlled by the male sex hormone but also depends on nutrition and sunlight levels. Antler growth begins in late winter/early spring as tiny fuzz-covered buds, that actually push out the old antlers, just as adult teeth push out baby teeth in humans. Very fine-haired skin, called velvet, protects the antler as it grows. Early autumn sunsets cause testosterone to rise in the buck's body and signals velvet deterioration. As the luxuriant skin dies, it dries and itches, causing bucks to scratch by running their antlers along any available surface. By the time breeding season arrives, antlers are smooth and ready for battles with other males for breeding rights.
Antlers are solid and bony, except for the caribou, and form only on males.
Other ruminants have hollow permanent horns.
Antler growth requires large quantities of calcium.
When growth is complete, circulation to the antlers is cut off.
Antlers are used to slash territorial markings on trees or bushes, make threatening displays, and to combat other males.
Males sometimes lock antlers and die of exhaustion or starvation.
Antlers in a given species may vary in size, depending on the quality and quantity of food; in overpopulated areas, deer usually have small antlers.
Yearling bucks may have one to six points on each side of their antler but generally average a total of six points on both sides.
Large typical bucks can have seven or more points on each side; the number of points is not an indication of age, but rather of the animal's physical condition.
Antlers are generally shed in January and February.
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REFERENCES
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1. "Deer" Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001 http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
2. The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web
3. Nebraska Parks Commission
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