Science Lesson of the Day

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The estrous cycle of a whitetail deer lasts approximately twenty-eight days with the animal going into heat for a 24 hour period.  If the doe is not mated - a second estrus cycle occurs.  The entire mating season - called the rut - begins in October and lasts through December sometimes into January.  The rut for whitetails in the southern parts of the United States doesn't begin until January or even February.  Following a gestation period of approximately 200 days the first fawns will be dropped in the spring.  Depending upon conditions does will give birth to 1 to 3 fawns at a time.

This is a very pregnant doe.  She's huge!  Maybe twins on the way...