Whether it is through the instinct of flight or quietly staying concealed amid the foliage, quality nutrition strongly influences a whitetail’s ability to survive, especially for the deer fawn. Healthy fawns remain quiet; whereas, malnourished fawns will cry out for their mother with a “bleat” call. The sounds echo fast - ultimately attracting predators. If the parenting female doesn’t reject her offspring, which is usually due to nutritional stress, a hormonal imbalance, inexperienced first time mothers or disease, then the process of maternal guidance is underway. Although the deer fawn possesses certain inborn survival instincts, it still predominately takes
By its mother�s vocal guidance, the fawn learns where these chosen bedding sites are located; and within just days, the fawn can go to these secluded locales on its own, or by her cue. commands from its mother. Foremost are concealed bedding sites which are prechosen by the mother. If these locales remain undisturbed, then she will use them year after year - especially if she has raised young before. Despite that the fawn is growing rapidly by now, it still spends the majority of time bedding. By its mother’s vocal guidance,
the fawn learns where these chosen sites are located and within a couple of weeks after birth, the fawn can go to these secluded bedding locales on its own or by her cue. Besides nutrition, this aspect of camouflage is crucial. If everything is on track, the young deer quickly learns to be silent and evasive of roaming predators!
As summer slowly transitions toward the fall season, bachelor bucks do begin to scent mark, and interact with females.
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