Reproduction
Breeding season begins in November and is called the rut season. A doe's estrous period usually starts in November, which initiates the bucks' interest. A doe will be in heat for about 30 hours and if there is no conception or copulation the doe will begin her heat cycle in 28 to 30 days. There are four periods if a
doe does not conceive in the beginning periods odds are she will in one of the last two. The level of intensity of the rut varies in different parts of the country.
White-tailed deer are polygamous and a big buck will mate with many doe, but the doe will only court one buck, occasionally a doe will have more than one mate. Deer reproduce sexually and there is internal fertilization.
doe does not conceive in the beginning periods odds are she will in one of the last two. The level of intensity of the rut varies in different parts of the country.
White-tailed deer are polygamous and a big buck will mate with many doe, but the doe will only court one buck, occasionally a doe will have more than one mate. Deer reproduce sexually and there is internal fertilization.
Female deer will nurse their young several times a day until the fawns are strong enough to join the herd. The spots are retained until the fawns molt in early fall by which time they are usually weaned. Normally, sexual maturity is not reached in females until two years but occasionally, when food conditions are plentiful, female fawns mate the first fall and produce offspring the following spring when they themselves are only 1 year old. Two strong and well nourished deer can produce as much as 30 offspring in a seven year period.
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