Do you see many whitetail deer twins?

[PigHunter]

Yesterday, I saw a doe with two spotted fawns while I was exploring the hunting lease. My assumption is that the two little ones are twins.

Doing some research, I found the attached article from the Penn State College of Agricultural Sicence. One of the interesting things I learned from it is:

"White-tailed twins are of the fraternal variety. Does ovulate multiple eggs which are then fertilized by different sperm. So while all fawns look alike none of them are actually identical twins even if they do have the same mom."

But even more interesting:

"White-tailed twins have about a 20 to 25% chance of not even being fraternal twins! They, in fact, are only half siblings – twins only in the most basic use of the term. Which exposes a new truth in white-tailed breeding ecology: does mate with multiple bucks."

Sounds like a wild time in the forest! Did you know this about whitetails? Do you see does with two fawns in your neck of the woods?

[pineywoods]

I did not know about the blatant promiscuity going on all around me in the woodlands. Actually, I tried to promote it among my own species when I was a lot younger, but had little success---wait, I'm not supposed to admit that. Oh well, what the hail, it's too late to worry about that now.

Seldom see twin fawns around my place, probably due to lack of quality food sources. The pet does at the camp dropped their fawns two weeks ago, but haven't brought them up for inspection yet.

[Buckshott00]

I thought it was more prevalent to be honest. I thought the reason I only saw 1 fawn was because something had already happened to the other one in the litter

[bowhunter75richard]

It is quite common around my area, (that being rich farm land) to see twin fawns. From most that I have read, nutrition is the most important thing concerning if one or two fawns are dropped ! Age of the doe may also be a factor, too young or too old, but I am not up on that fact. We as hunters want more deer, farmers want less with a balance that is difficult to reach. Sort of like sex in the human siuation, lol !

The article was very interesting reading. I was of the thought that a doe was only in estures for around 36 hours and that the breeding buck stayed with her for all that time and thus was the sire of dropped fawns ! Evidently does have “hot pants” more than I thought. Must be good to be a male deer, oops, there is always hunting season to take into consideration ! But then, good aspects of life always seem to have a down side !

[Gary Devine]

I set up a trail cam during the summer of 2012. I got many photos of spotted fawns in July and August.

[bowhunter75richard]

I did not know about the blatant promiscuity going on all around me in the woodlands. Actually, I tried to promote it among my own species when I was a lot younger, but had little success---wait, I'm not supposed to admit that. Oh well, what the hail, it's too late to worry about that now.

Seldom see twin fawns around my place, probably due to lack of quality food sources. The pet does at the camp dropped their fawns two weeks ago, but haven't brought them up for inspection yet.

I don’t know about that PH, it all depends if he can get a doe to stand still long enough !

[bowhunter75richard]

I set up a trail cam during the summer of 2012. I got many photos of spotted fawns in July and August.

Nice pictures Gary, thanks !

[neuman23]

It is quite common around my area, (that being rich farm land) to see twin fawns. From most that I have read, nutrition is the most important thing concerning if one or two fawns are dropped ! Age of the doe may also be a factor, too young or too old, but I am not up on that fact. We as hunters want more deer, farmers want less with a balance that is difficult to reach. Sort of like sex in the human siuation, lol !

The article was very interesting reading. I was of the thought that a doe was only in estures for around 36 hours and that the breeding buck stayed with her for all that time and thus was the sire of dropped fawns ! Evidently does have “hot pants” more than I thought. Must be good to be a male deer, oops, there is always hunting season to take into consideration ! But then, good aspects of life always seem to have a down side !

I see a fair amount of twin fawns on trail camera. I did get a first for me this summer, a set of triplets. I'll see if I can find the picture.

[neuman23]

Here you go Pighunter. Found some pics of the triplets. I also selected a couple of others to get you excited for deer season. Youth season starts in 1 week, and I'll be taking my Assistant's son to this field. We are hoping for his first deer....odds are in his favor.

[Treestand]

FWC classes Young 4yr/o Bucks make twins more often then not (they got the power);-)) That's why we are a QDM No 4-pointers taken.

[Gary Devine]

Here you go Pighunter. Found some pics of the triplets. I also selected a couple of others to get you excited for deer season. Youth season starts in 1 week, and I'll be taking my Assistant's son to this field. We are hoping for his first deer....odds are in his favor.

Nice bachelor party there Neuman23.?

[Gary Devine]

I set up a trail cam during the summer of 2012. I got many photos of spotted fawns in July and August.

Thanks Rich. Everybody puts their trail Cam three feet off the ground. I like placing my cam a foot off the ground when the bait is ten feet away.

[MattM37]

I see twins at least as often as single fawns. Lots of good food in Central New York, both natural and agricultural.

[jhjimbo]

I see Doe's with 2 fawns all the time.

[jcarlin]

Year to year here. This year I'm seeing more singles than doubles. Most years I think it's pretty even. Last year most does I saw had 2 and a couple even had 3 with them (maybe adopted, dunno).