Whitetail fawns are born in May or June. They weight 6 to 8 pounds at birth. Fawns spend their early days clinging to their mothers, bonding and learning about the big new world. Sometimes does and their offspring gather in small groups. Within these groups fawns learn to walk, run and react in the face of danger. Fawns are playful and get exercise by nudging, jumping and boxing one another with their legs and feet.

The early days and weeks are perilous for fawns. They survive best in areas with lots of cover. Fawns rely heavily on their natural camouflage. The white spots scattered across their reddish-brown bodies blend well with fallen leaves and brush. When a fawn beds down, he tucks his legs, head and neck into its body for ultimate concealment.

About the time a fawn is weaned it loses its spotted coat. It then sports grayish hair that mixes well with the deciduous forest. In winter, a fawn's coat is gray with reddish-brown tips. A male fawn's face grows darker while his belly remains white.  

Winter can be tough on fawns, especially in northern states and provinces where food is scarce. The deer, now around six months old, can undergo severe stress. Some fawns starve or succumb to predators. But most fawns are tough and hardy. Whitetails that outlast their first winter can look forward to a new spring and with it the birth of more fawns.