A Late Born White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, Fawn in Southcentral Wisconsin

Authors

  • Christopher N. Jacques Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2801 Progress Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53716
  • William E. Ishmael Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 1500 N Johns Street, Dodgeville, Wisconsin 53533
  • Timothy R. Van Deelen Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, 53706
  • Robert E. Rolley Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2801 Progress Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53716

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v121i3.487

Keywords:

White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, parturition, breeding, conception, phenology, Wisconsin

Abstract

Published reports of peak breeding and parturition dates for White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) indicate that deer in northern regions typically breed during November and give birth during late May and early June. However, we report a late-born White-tailed Deer fawn killed by a vehicle between 12-13 March 2007 in south central Wisconsin. Morphology measurements and body weight indicated the individual was 63-76 days old, was born between 26 December 2006 and 8 January 2007, and was conceived between 14-27 June 2006. To our knowledge, this observation represents the latest documented breeding activity in northern deer populations.

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Issue

Vol. 121 No. 3 (2007)

Section

Notes

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