Northern Wisconsin is freaking me out

[wissler]

Well, I hunt in area 34 which is one of 5 areas that is "Bucks only" for the season.
In 3 days of hunting this weekend, I saw 23 mature does.
Friday afternoon 9 came in, 1 after the other
Saturday afternoon, 11 does, 1 after the other
Sunday morning, 3 does together came in

NOT ONE FAWN WAS SEEN! No bucks either.

I've been hunting in this area since 1982 and I've never seen so many does without fawns.
Every one of the locals blames the wolves.
My first thought was the does were being bred, but in years past, I've always seen fawns on their own when this is going on, or they are with 1 1/2 year class does.

[RedShaft]

im not from your area, but dont forget when a doe comes into heat she will chase off her fawns.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

They opened wolf hunting. Maybe things will improve????

[Nate Fikkert]

Wissler,

While fawn survival is likely part of the issue, Redshaft is right, it does not surprise me one bit to see lone does this time of year.  However, it would also stand to reason that you would see some fawns by themselves as well.

Quite a few wolves shot already, more to come I am sure.  

Nathan

[RedShaft]

Hey guys, what are your chances on seeing or hearing wolves? is it common? i would be packing esp if hunting alone and having a long walk back in the dark in those areas.      

Scarey but pretty neat at the same time.

[Gottabow]

Chances are pretty good on seeing Wolves and even being trailed at times..just depends where ya are.  I also noticed alot of Does and no Fawns..Wolves, Coyote and Bear also take their share..The Wolve have really did a number on the Deer Population in certain areas though.  I think the Bear really take a good number in the spring of the year and I'm sure the blame can be passed around.

[Cory Mattson]

If you are not seeing fawns it is because they are gone. It is true when does come into heat they disregard the fawns and sometimes ditch em but this usually results in hunters seeing many young deer especially button fawn bucks active confused and stupid. Our experience is fawns do not bed up and stay active just more careless.

[jiane]

The last weekend in October over 4 days.  I saw a doe with a fawn and then just single deer after that.  The single deer were a mix of doe, doe fawns, fork, spike, and a button buck.  We bear baited on the property for the last two seasons and we have a healthy and active coyote pack in the area.  

Seeing 23 does in 3 days is pretty darn good.  Your'e in the right area to get a buck with that many does moving around.  That also means that the mature deer are surviving and will be making more deer soon.