4/8/15 Research

         A couple months ago I covered the deer's lifestyle during January and February. In this post I will be compiling the information from March, April, and May, respectively.

         March is the beginning of a new birth for all wildlife. During this month the days once again become longer than the nights and the first greenery appears on the ground. To the north if the days stay cold and snowy the deer can certainly struggle to survive, but here in Iowa the snow does not usually stick around too long  and the deer have no problem making it through the winter. During this time does are nearing the time when their fawns need plenty of nutrition before they are born. This drives the does to find food further and sooner than the bucks.
        April brings the full force of spring. Food begins to become plentiful and the deer can return to their normal feeding patterns and social life. The bucks distance themselves from the does and do not interact with them unless they happen to cross paths. Does usually live in a matriarchal system where the dominant doe, her daughters, and their offspring will stay together. In the early part of April the bucks will begin the long process of growing an entire new set of antlers. At times deer may injure an antler while still in velvet which can result in an odd or non-typical set of antlers.
         May is a time of plenty. The deer continue to gain back the weight lost throughout the winter. During this month the deer also begin to replace their coats with a summer coat. They usually have a much brighter red color in the summer months. This time is also when the does begin to mark out a territory to give birth in. The does will begin to drive away the fawns from the year before. The bucks will spend their time resting, eating, chewing their cud and letting their antlers grow up to a quarter of an inch per day.

         These three months are a completely different time for the deer than during the winter. The does begin to work towards welcoming a new generation of deer into the green forests and long warm days. Maybe when I head out to watch for deer I won't have to wear three coats anymore. I can at least hope so.