when do deer have babies

Deer typically have their babies, called fawns, in the spring and early summer, with most births occurring in May and June. The mating happens in the autumn, but females delay the implantation of the fertilized egg until January so the fawns are born in warmer months rather than winter. The gestation period for deer is approximately 200 days or about seven months. After birth, fawns can usually stand within 45 minutes and stay hidden in dense vegetation while the mother forages nearby and returns to nurse them several times a day. Most does give birth to one to three fawns at a time, with single offspring being common for first-year mothers. More specifically, fawning season peaks between May and June, though in some regions and species it may extend from April through July, and occasionally later births can occur. Mothers hide their young in secluded areas to protect them from predators during this vulnerable time.