Fecundity Of White·tailed Deer In Mississippi And Periodicity Of Corpora Lutea And Lactation

Reproductive data were collected from 774 female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) taken in Mississippi between 1976 and 1979. One- to 2-year old does and 2-year or older does had mean corpora lutea counts of 1.61 and I. 78 and mean fetus counts of 1.40 and 1.66 respectively. Fawn breeding was observed in 4 of 140 fawns and also was evidenced by the presence of lactation in 5 of 146 1-1/2 year old deer. Breeding occurred between November 20 and March 15. Over 80% of breeding occurred December 21 to January 21 with 50% of all breeding between January 7-21.