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In this series, I will be highlighting a few interesting aspects for one of our country's most prevalent creatures, the White-tailed Deer. Much of this information is wholly or partially relevant to other deer species such as Elk, Mule Deer, etc... I begin this multi part series with spring and will be highlighting the series over the following year with summer, fall (breeding) and winter writings, each with their particular effect on our ever loved deer.
Spring, a time of year each of us loves greatly. It's a time of renewal, rebirth and a time to look forward to many great hours of gardening, picnics and other fun times. For White-tailed deer, it is much more than fun picnics, it's time to eat once again. For many wild creatures, making it to spring is truly the survival of the fittest, the strongest and smartest of all. Once the greenery of spring arrives, deer go into overdrive consuming the fresh grasses and springtime shoots. Most deer are thin, hungry and in great need of massive amounts of nutrient.
This is particularly true for pregnant females. Besides surviving the winter themselves, they have been growing a baby or two or three. The peak of the breeding season for the majority of the United States is around mid November. The typical Doe has a gestation period of about 203 days which will birth her fawns on or about June 8. Obviously, this birthing date will swing anywhere from the first part of May to early July but the vast majority of all Does will birth there fawns in the first 16 days of June. These dates tend to be early in the northern latitudes and later, and sometimes much later, in the south.
As spring greenery becomes available, the Doe's requirements for nutrients excel as their babies grow faster and bigger. With April's production of new green growth, all Does begin feeding heavily to regain their strength and to provide nutrients for their ever growing babies. The changes brought about in spring will also change your deer's behaviors. They will move from winter feeding grounds to the more lush pastures and meadowlands. It is not uncommon to have your deer at the feeder one day and then gone completely the next, only to return in a few weeks as the forest floor begins its own green growth. If you are realizing a change in your deer's feeding activities, be patient as they will be back in time to show off their babies.
For those wishing to experience the year's best wildlife treat, continue to feed your deer well into summer. Their springtime need for good feed is great and highly nutritious foods will do wonders for their health and, most importantly, the babies they are growing. Continuing to feed your Doe deer will help hold them or bring them back to your property. Doing so will provide you the best opportunity to see your Does' fawns come late June and early July. Encouraging your deer to stay and feed will be greatly rewarded when the Does bring their babies to visit your feeders. There is no greater joy than watching a group of baby deer interacting with one another, especially the first few times. Envision a group of hyperactive children at a birthday party, then feed them three helpings of cake, cookies and candy, give them a big glass of soda, then multiple this 10 fold. You can now partially understand the extremely rambunctious, crazy antics of your own baby white-tails as they kick up their heels playing with their new friends in your own backyard. This is a nature moment you DO NOT want to miss.
Birthing Time: We receive a LOT of calls and emails late May and early June asking, "Where have my deer gone?" When you begin to notice the Does are no longer visiting your feeders, this is an exciting time. It means they have moved off and away from the herd to seek solitude for birthing their fawns. Within a few weeks or so, you will begin to see your does once more and within a very short time, their newly born babies will follow. Now, the fun begins. Keep your feeders filled, add more feeders to spread out the herd or begin a new hobby by establishing your very own wild deer feeding station.
Meanwhile, keep your feeders filled, and a NEW Hurley-Byrd deer feeder to your current feeding station or begin a brand new hobby that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Peter Hurley has been an active nature lover, wildlife enthusiast his entire life and is the owner of The Hurley-Byrd Bird Feeder Co http://www.hurleybyrd.com/. His vast experience with wildlife has led him to produce some of the finest bird, deer and wildlife feeders in the world. Visit http://www.hurleybyrd.com/DeerFeederTips.html for more information regarding the white-tailed deer and the enjoyable way of feeding this beautiful animal. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to visit Hurley-Byrd's site and write Mr. Hurley directly.
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