How old do deer need to be to take care of themselves w/o the mom being around?

The summer after birth?

I have seen many yearlings doing thir own thing by september/october in early fall.

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bingo----or when ma is tired of him sucking on her udder-(some of us are still this way)

i have heard that a doe will kill her fawn if she smells a human scent on it, so dont touch one if you find it --------its like CERTAIN death then

This I find hard to believe. I have been told by family and friends that on several accassions they found a young fawn in their fields and moved it closer to the woods, so it would not be harmed by farm machinery. The doe was there soon after to ensure her fawn was OK. They left together as if nothing had happened. There may have beeen situations where a doe has smelled humans scent on her fawn and left it. I think it would have to be an extreme situation for her to completely desert her fawn. Certain death by a doe is something I just cannot envision. Also I think a fawn should be able to survive by the time the doe comes into heat in Nov. I would also assume, the chances would be better for a fawn born in the south vs one born in the northern part of US or Canada. Severe winters will cause major concerns even for the healthiest of deer.

5-6 months

in reply to jimmy s -- anyone else heard of this?? i have no facts just the one time it happened to us at our cabin. the kids touched the fawn, and we watched the doe kick it or rather stomp it with her front hooves till it was dead. i actually hope i am wrong.

I think at a QDMA meeting one of the biologist said at around 10 to 12 weeks of age the fawn could survive.