Skip to main content

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Get our e-news! Sign up

small nav

  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our History
    • Employment
    • Conservation Center
    • FAQs
    • Partners
    • Business Members
    • Annual Reports
    • Bylaws
    • Policies
  • log in
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Main menu

  • What we do
    • Land Conservation
    • Education & Events
    • Advocacy
    • Forestry & Recreation
    • News & Features
    • Forest Notes & More Publications
  • Current Projects
    • Mahoosuc Highlands, Shelburne
    • Forest Society North at The Rocks Campaign
    • Build Creek Farm Restrooms, Portsmouth
    • Mount Major Stewardship Fund
    • Recent Accomplishments
  • Visit & Explore
    • The Rocks
    • Conservation Center
    • Mount Major
    • Creek Farm
    • Forest Reservation Guide
    • Visitor Use Guidelines
  • Get Involved
    • Upcoming Events
    • Membership/Renewal
    • Support Our Work
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe to E-news
  • Search

Search form

Donate
Menu

News

  • Floodplain provides wildlife habitat during high water

    Dave Anderson, Ellen Kenny
    May 2, 2023

    The silver maple floodplain forest is specifically adapted to withstand the extreme flooding regime of the larger rivers in NH.

  • Forestry Friday: Why Bees Need Forests Too

    Gabe Roxby
    April 7, 2023

    A new study estimates that one-third of our native bees in the northeast are forest specialists, taking advantage of the nectar and pollen produced by trees and spring ephemerals in the forest understory.

  • Forest Journal: A Fond and Feathered Farewell from Grandfather's Birds

    Sophie Oehler
    April 2, 2023

    After the passing of her Grandfather, Sophie Oehler reflects on birds and their meanings during our grieving process.

Deer fawn birth, camoflage and survival

Something Wild
Dave Anderson
June 6, 2013
Wildlife
Cryptic coloration and no scent conceals deer fawns. Photo Geoff Jones

Fawn season is early June in New Hampshire Forests.

White-tailed deer give birth to cryptic-colored, white-spotted fawns by early June in New Hampshire. Does typically give birth to twins, rarely triplets. Younger does or in years of harsh winter weather with deep snow, more single fawns are born.

Does choose a secluded and yet open area to birth while scanning for any approaching danger. Moments after birth does will try to get fawns to stand and follow her to thick cover before she returns to consume the placenta. Fawns weigh 4 to 8 pounds at birth with no scent and a dappled white-spotted reddish coat. They remain motionless; hiding for up to 3 weeks while gaining strength and relying on cryptic camouflage to remain unseen. Does return only twice day to nurse and groom hiding fawns, consuming wastes to remove any scent.

Deer in snow. Photo Garrett Evans

The two essential first lessons for fawns: first – hide. Then - by one month old – run!

Many fawns are lost during their first 3 weeks to predators including coyotes, bears, bobcats and more rarely a fisher. In response to fawn distress calls, does rush to protect defenseless fawns from danger but more often must to abandon danger to survive themselves to breed again another year.

By three weeks old, fawns are strong and fast enough to accompany their mothers while nursing and foraging. Fawns remain with their mothers throughout the summer often in long-term maternal family groups raising fawns collectively for safety.

Deer fawn. Photo Charlie Bond

New Hampshire Public Radio

Download the Forest Society Mobile App, powered by OuterSpatial

Available on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Footer menu

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests54 Portsmouth St.Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603.224.9945Fax: 603.228.0423info@forestsociety.org
Land Trust Alliance accreditation logo