Bucks are primary solitary particularly during the breeding season, though they sometimes run with other bucks at other times of the year.  Bigger bucks will stake out a territory where they will try to keep a few does nearby for mating when they come into heat.  Territory is established by making scrapes on the ground.  A dominant male uses his hoof to scrape out a patch of bare soil onto which he urinates to claim his presence and signal to does. Bucks also rub glands located along the cheek and base of the antlers on low hanging limbs and small trees.  These rubs and scrapes are territory markers, and when necessary, they will defend this territory against other bucks.  Click here to hear deer vocalizations and rattling antlers.

The buck undergoes hormonal changes at the start of the rut, which causes him to become more aggressive and less cautious.  The peak of the breeding season usually occurs in November, but may be as early as October or as late as January depending on deer health, geography, weather conditions, or other factors.  After establishing a territory, bucks will actively seek does that are receptive to breeding.

A doe becomes restless and very active at the onset of the estrous cycle. She will urinate on an active buck scrape to signal she is ready to mate. The doe remains in heat for 24 to 30 hours.  If not bred, she will come back into heat every 28 days until she is successfully bred or breeding season is over.  A buck may mate with several does during the breeding season.

Fawns are born after a gestation period of 201 days, usually from early May to late September, with most born in June.  Does bred when less than a year old usually produce only a single fawn. Older does average two fawns.  At birth a fawn weighs about 5 ½ pounds for a female and about 7 ½ for a male.  The fawn is able to walk shortly after birth and begins to eat vegetation along with nursing after two or three weeks.  About 30 percent of the fawns do not survive until fall.