By Lindsay Rogers
One of the most well-known large mammals of North
America is the white-tailed deer. This stately species
was once extirpated, or eliminated, from Nebraska due
to overhunting and a lack of game regulations. With the
introduction of game laws and hunting seasons in the
early 1900s, Nebraska's population is now at an estimated
250,000.
One of the main reasons white-tailed deer have returned to
the state in such great numbers is their ability to reproduce.
Breeding takes place starting in mid-October, peaks in mid-
November and continues into December. Nearly 70 percent of
does produce twins; approximately 140 fawns are born for each
100 does in the population. Fawns are born starting in May and
continuing into late summer with the majority born in June. At birth,
fawns weigh between five and eight pounds. They are ruddy to deep
tan in color with characteristic white spots. The white spots are
amazing camouflage. Fawns will lay among the leaves in the forest
floor for hours at a time as the mother leaves to feed. The white
spots mimic the speckled sun shining through the forest canopy. ■
A Mammal Brief
White-tailed Deer Fawn
6 NEBRASKAland • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2015
Lindsay Rogers is an outdoor education specialist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
PHOTO
BY
JOEL
SARTORE
