Factors Affecting the Peak of White-Tailed Deer Fawning in Virginia

Abstract
Birth dates of 503 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns captured during a 10 yr period at Radford Army Ammunition Plant, Dublin, Virginia [USA], were earlier in those years when the does had reached estrus presumably in better condition. Years of early mean birth dates were significantly correlated with high rainfall the previous May and with a low fawn survival rate the previous summer. Rainfall and snow cover during gestation and cloudiness and temperatures prior to conception were not significantly correlated with birth dates of fawns.

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