Yearlings, or Lack Thereof

[CavemantheHunter]

Just got back from a camping trip in the Methow Valley. Had a great weekend and saw quite a few deer. One thing that worried me was that of the 20 or so does I saw, only 4-5 of them had yearlings, with only one having twins... Anyone else notice this? Thinking I need to make another trip over there to do some predator hunting.

[deerhunter_98520]

I was in minot peak all weekend scouting and out of the 40 or so deer i seen ......3 yearlings .....i was thinkin the same thing

[bobcat]

Fawns, or yearlings?

I've been getting lots of fawns with my trail cameras.

[deerhunter_98520]

I meant fawns lol

[D-Rock425]

Just had a doe with twins walk around the field at work this morning in woodinville.

[CavemantheHunter]

Sorry, I meant fawns. Saw 4 fawns all weekend out of 30 total deer...

[ldjbuff]

I noticed this weekend on the way to the coast I Saw like 40 elk, all cows, no babies. Then on the way back same field, cow elk and about 20 calfs. Maybe they were sleeping

[CavemantheHunter]

A few of the does could have had sleeping fawns nearby, but the majority of the does I saw were on the move, either crossing roads or headed through the hills with no fawns in tow.

[bankwalker]

There's no new fawns around here. I scout every day and I've seen 5 since June 1st 

Yearlings are everywhere though. More little spikes and tiny 2pts then I've seen anywhere ever.

[blackveltbowhunter]

A few of the does could have had sleeping fawns nearby, but the majority of the does I saw were on the move, either crossing roads or headed through the hills with no fawns in tow.

    I think you hit the nail on the head about predator control. I think this is probably the biggest threat to fawn/calf recruitment. That said you might be surprised how far away mama will go from the lil bugger. I know I have been. Especially deer...I have watched, mama put baby to bed then feed for a while often several hundred yards away, then bed down in position to watch babies area. This year for the first week after being born their was a fawn bedded in the neighbors yard. Although there were 4 possible mothers in the immediate area ( i never saw a doe closer to it than 2 hundred yards) it wasnt until 5 or 6 days after it first showed up that mama was actually with it. 2 of the other does followed suit showing up with twins. Dunno if the third was barren, or fawn was taken but nothing yet. I know mama came or at least called it to her from cover, cuz the fawn was there at first light and gone 2-3 hours later.  Older and I assume wiser does will even attempt to distract danger in a not so obvious manner just by making their presence known. I've seen this happen with coyotes. Moments prior to termination of said dog     Spring bear should be statewide season to keep some pressure on them as well. At least more units should offer tags.

[bankwalker]

I see coyotes to often while out scouting where I live, in the general area I plan on hunting.. Almost every trip out.
If i go to other areas, a couple miles in any direction. i see fawns with almost every doe. And never see coyotes or hear them at night in these areas

[Rainstorm Hunter]

I went scouting in some of my hunting areas yesterday and noticed that I am seeing alot more fawns this year compared to last year and not a whole lot of yearlings.  Almost every doe I saw had a fawn.  I do wonder why there were alot less fawns last year though.  I was seeing about one fawn per every 3-4 does last year and most of the does this year do have fawns. Also alot of my scouting was in the minot peak unit.

[lokidog]

I see coyotes to often while out scouting where I live, in the general area I plan on hunting.. Almost every trip out.
If i go to other areas, a couple miles in any direction. i see fawns with almost every doe. And never see coyotes or hear them at night in these areas

Sounds like a good reason to carry a rifle while scouting....

[LiveandLearn]

kill those predators!!!

[bankwalker]

I see coyotes to often while out scouting where I live, in the general area I plan on hunting.. Almost every trip out.
If i go to other areas, a couple miles in any direction. i see fawns with almost every doe. And never see coyotes or hear them at night in these areas

Sounds like a good reason to carry a rifle while scouting....

  who says I haven't killed a few