Twin Fawns still Nursing?

Orion in IL · 10-10-2006, 12:57 PM

Last Friday evening, I had a small doe and two small fawns get within 20 yards of my stand.

As I watched, low and behold, the two fawns began to nurse.

This is the first time I have seen this first hand.

I understand that fawns can be born late due to the second rut, however...

1. How much longer will these late twins still nurse?
2. If I would have taken the Mother, would the two fawns have survived?

danscott · 10-10-2006, 01:01 PM

Saw something similar going on last weekend myself. The doe in my case would have no part in letting the fawns nurse. She kept pushing them away. I would guess the two would survive if you shot mom at this time of the year.

kevin1 · 10-10-2006, 01:20 PM

They'll make it , while they still have the urge to nurse they're also fully weaned and capable of surviving on their own .

Fieldmouse · 10-10-2006, 01:29 PM

As long as it took to nock two more arrows.

Dubbya · 10-10-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Fieldmouse

As long as it took to nock two more arrows.

mmmmmmm yearling tenderloins.

mobow · 10-10-2006, 06:33 PM

My buddy and I both shot does this past weekend...they were still wet as well. I thought it was pretty late myself....

Rob/PA Bowyer · 10-10-2006, 09:01 PM

This past Saturday I watched a button buck nurse, the maternal doe didn't mind. No sign of any immediate rut there...lol Mom hasn't pushed off jr yet.

Quote:

1. How much longer will these late twins still nurse?
2. If I would have taken the Mother, would the two fawns have survived?

1. Most likely less than 2 weeks here in PA, I'd imagine similiar in Ill.

2. I wouldn't have quams about taking the maternal doe, the offspring would be fine, they'd pair up with other fawns, matriarch family or the likes. I have a button buck that comes running to calls just to be with other deer, he's healthy and feeding and hopefully will not be found by a pack of yotes.

Higgy15jh · 10-10-2006, 10:44 PM

theyll definatly make it especiallt if they stay together

crutch · 10-10-2006, 11:35 PM

down here in central Ill I have seen a few different fawns out in the timbers as I drive home from work. The last week they have been by themselves. A couple people in the area have taken deer (both small). I think they maybe starting to chase them away?

craig

Orion in IL · 10-11-2006, 01:26 PM

Crutch...I saw these in Schuyler County. We are you?

It was just wierd that I have been hunting for 15 years or so and never have seen this before.

The maternal doe did not let them nurse long, maybe 1 minute tops.

So maybe they are ready to be weaned.

My issue also was that we saw two coyotes the night before on the same property. Even if the two young fawns would eventually pair up with another doe or doe group, they may have fallen prey to these boys that night.

Thanks for all the replies. Good Huntin'