Over 60% of does that had fawns will still have some milk (lactating) come November in NY. Thats normal, and is used as a tool in management to estimate the % of the does that raised at least one fawn to adulthood, when figuring population estimates. Even if she still has fawns with her, they do not require her milk by November. Most fawns in the NE where I hunt are weaned by September. Does will continue to lactate 2 months after weaning.

Lactating does are a good indication of a healthy population. A study that was done in the last several years indicated that a person is more likely to harvest a B&C buck, than a true, dry doe - (too old to raise fawns).