2024 Baby Boom

Fawning season is beginning to wind down in most of Texas, and the word from the experts is it has been a good one. Big numbers of little ones are on the ground in many areas of the state.
Peak fawning time varies with the region. It typically runs from May through early July, though it’s not uncommon for a few stragglers to hit the ground later on.
Texas Parks Wildlife Department white-tailed deer program leader Blaise Korzekwa says this year’s fawn crop has been exceptional. This is especially true east of Interstate 35 in the Pineywoods, Post Oak and Blackland Prairie regions, where big rains from spring through early summer combined with mild temperatures created optimum conditions for fawn production and survival.
In addition to lush grasses that fawns were able to use as thermal cover, the moisture resulted in abundant forbs and other nutrient-rich goodies to bolster milk production among does.
“It’s shaping up to be a really good year,” he said. “Our herd composition survey data gathered so far is indicating a fawn crop that is well above average in those areas, as well as the Cross Timbers. The Hill Country is looking to be below average, mainly due to drought.”
Korzekwa says the average fawn crop for the Pineywoods, Post Oak and Blackland Prairies is about 35 percent. Of the three regions, the Pineywoods typically comes in the lowest at around 30 percent annually.
The numbers are significantly higher across the board this year. Korzekwa says fawn production in the Post Oak is about 52 percent, 45 percent the Pineywoods and 61 percent in the Blackland Prairies.
It’s the second consecutive year for a bumper fawn crop in the Post Oak and Blackland Prairies. The statewide average in 2023 was 44 percent — the highest recorded over the last 10 years.
A bumper fawn crop won’t mean much for hunting prospects this coming season, it could have a significant impact down the road. More fawns now means more bucks on the landscape in seasons to come. Not all of those will live to maturity, but a bunch of them will.
Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by email, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com .