Hey guys, first post here so bear with me. I hunt in central South Dakota and was fortunate to harvest a doe on the tenth of Oct. The doe had a fawn with her, but I noticed they were both foraging before I took the shot so I assumed the fawn was weaned from mama. As I was getting ready to field dress the doe I noticed she was lactating. I felt awful. I would appreciate any insight as to what the fawn survival rate might be when mama is taken out of the picture at this stage. Thanks!
The fawn will be fine . It can survive on its own. It will most likely find the other deer and travel with them.
Fawn will be fine. Does will show lactating for a while if the fawn occasionally nursed off of her which could happen well into October or later if she allows it.
Thanks for the reassurance! I've been telling myself that but wasn't quite sure. Now that I've got some meat in the freezer I'll be going after 1 of the 2 bucks on my hit list! Fresh back strap steaks for bfast this morning were, well, you can imagine
Yes, the fawn is quite capable of surviving on its own at this point. Congrats on the doe! I used to know a detective that lived in Pierre.
I concur that the fawn will most likely be just fine at this point. I understand how you feel though, I personally choose not to shoot a doe while she still has a fawn with her. Just from a personal experience after shooting a lone doe, only to have the fawns come in a couple minutes after the shot. I dropped the doe in her tracks at 12 yards from the stand. The fawns came in nudged her, bawled for what seemed like forever. Even after trying to run them off, they kept coming back. I guess I'm just a softy. Kinda broke my heart. I completely understand the fawn will be fine, but it was still pretty tough on me so I choose to pass, as much for me as the fawn.
Here's a study to read about fawn mortality rates in S. Dakota. The rates are usually pretty high...more so in some areas, less in others. From some studies I've read, the mortality rates are pretty much alike in other states also. Deer-mortality study kicks off in South Dakota. - Outdoor Forum: The Rub Line
congrats on the doe and welcome to the site. That fawn will be fine on it's own as everyone has mentioned.
It will be just fine. I did the same thing as you a few years back. Felt bad, until I started getting pics of the fawn again. The funny part is the fawn took up with a spike and they hung out all winter long...lol. I got a bunch of pics of them together till the spring.
x2.. I hope you sleep better now knowing that your fawn will survive and you got a stomach full of back strap! haha Good luck on dropping a hit list buck!
Like everyone else has been saying the fawn will be fine, but like I have mentioned in other posts before I elect to pass on that situation. Personal choice, I'm a softy as well.
