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Baby White-tailed Deer Part of the baby animal series that I painted for notecards, the inspiration for this scene was a photo I took near the creek that flows through the woods alongside our home. White-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, mate in the fall (October - December). When the rut or mating season is over, the buck (male deer), which likely impregnated several females (does), plays no role in raising the fawns. After a doe gives birth to one or two fawns and nurses them, she leads them into secluded habitat within her familiar home range. The doe then leaves them alone for extended periods of time, returning periodically to nurse. This behavior will continue for up to 3 weeks until the fawns are mature enough to keep up with their mother. Newborn fawns have almost no body odor and their reddish brown coat with white spots make young fawns almost invisible to predators. Fawns lie motionless on the ground surrounded by low vegetation. The fawn's natural instinct is to freeze even when approached by another animal. The original pastel pencil is in our family collection but limited edition prints and note cards are available. Click here for availability and price.