Born to Hide

Born to Hide: The Biology Behind Baby Deer
Give your property an edge this fawning season.
www.whetstonehabitat.com

Whitetail fawns are hitting the ground across much of the country right now, and whether you realize it or not, they’re on your property — hiding in tall grass, unmowed trails, clover plots, and even flower beds. But just because you seeone doesn’t mean you should do something. These little deer are biological marvels, perfectly equipped for survival — until someone like your Aunt Betty scoops one up and tries to raise it in her laundry room.

Let’s break down the truth about fawns: how they survive, what they need, and why the best thing you can do most of the time… is nothing.

How (and Why) Fawns “Hide to Survive”

The average gestation period for a whitetail is about 201 days, which puts peak fawning at the end of May to early June in most of the species' range. This tight birthing window isn’t random — it’s a form of predator swamping. When all the does drop their fawns at once, predators simply can’t consume them all. The result? Higher survival rates.

But it only works when the habitat — and human behavior — cooperate.

Fawns are born nearly scentless. For the first 10–14 days, they remain almost motionless for up to 95% of the day. Their spotted coat breaks up their outline, and their lack of scent makes them nearly invisible to predators that hunt by smell, like coyotes and dogs. They don’t even flee at this stage — running would give them away. Instead, they rely on the “statue strategy.”

That’s why a fawn curled up by your mailbox isn’t abandoned. It’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.

Mama Knows Best (Even If She’s Not Around)

It’s perfectly normal for a doe to stash her fawn — or multiple fawns — in separate locations while she feeds. She’ll return briefly every few hours to clean, nurse, and relocate them. She wants to keep her distance most of the time. Her scent is what attracts predators, not theirs.

So if you stumble upon a fawn and your inner Aunt Betty kicks in, remember:

• Pink ears? Good sign. It’s hydrated and healthy.

• Quiet and curled up? Normal behavior. Leave it.

• Looks exposed? You can gently move it into a shaded area nearby — out of view from the road, the dog, and the grandkids. Then back away.

Unless you see Mama squished on the shoulder, she’s likely close by, just waiting for you to leave.

From Milk to Forage

Fawns are born ready to nurse and will do so exclusively for the first few weeks. But by 3–4 weeks of age, they begin nibbling green vegetation. By 6–8 weeks, they’re capable of surviving on solid food, though they’ll continue nursing for much longer — sometimes into late summer or even early fall.

So yes, when you see a gangly October fawn still nursing, it’s less about nutrition and more about comfort and bonding. That fawn could already be munching on acorns, clover, and browse — it’s just not quite ready to let go of mom yet.

Fun fact: does can produce milk with fat concentrations as high as 13%, making it among the richest of any North American mammal — a necessity when fawns double in weight in just a couple of weeks.

Landowner Tips for Fawn Survival

If you are managing early successional habitats, do not burn, mow, or disk all of your habitat in the same year. Not only does staggering your disturbances create more diversity on the landscape, but it also ensures that some adequate fawning habitat is available year-round.

• Delay mowing native fields and old field habitats until July, if possible.

• Raise your deck height to at least 8–10 inches if you must mow, and walk it first.

• Don’t spray or burn blindly in May or June unless you’re sure the area is fawn-free.

And if you’re working on habitat now, keep this in mind: diverse structure creates more hiding spots. That’s where Whetstone Habitat can help.

Schedule a consultation.

More Insight — and a Podcast Rec!

Want to hear how habitat management, fitness, and hunting prep all tie together? I had a blast joining Jeremy Koerber on the Fit to Hunt Podcast last week. We talked land, food plots, and how staying physically ready can make you a better land steward. It’s a good one.
🎧 Listen to the episode here