When visiting at sunrise, it is common to see 200 deer. Deer populations can change quickly. Local overpopulation leads to widespread disease and starvation. Predation by wolves, coyotes, bears, and bobcats help reduce threats associated with overpopulation. Deer living in the southern Appalachians give birth in late June.
Newborn fawns have no defense beyond camouflage.
Many are lost to predation during their first few days. By their second spring, males begin to grow antlers. They fully develop in August, and in September, the bucks fight for mating rights. Mating occurs in November. The antlers fall off by mid-winter.