Spring rains and Missouri whitetail
Spring rains in Missouri have a big influence on whitetail deer, especially in terms of fawning success, habitat quality, and herd health. Here’s how those rains play into the broader picture:
🌧️ 1. Fawning Season Timing
- In Missouri, most whitetail does drop fawns between late May and mid-June — right when spring rains are peaking.
- Heavy rains + cool temps during this window can lead to:
- Hypothermia in newborn fawns (especially if they don’t have thick cover).
- Increased mortality from being wet, cold, and vulnerable to predators.
- Potential abandonment by stressed does.
But on the flip side…
🌿 2. Rain Boosts Forage and Cover
- If spring rains are moderate and steady, they can supercharge vegetation:
- Thick bedding cover helps fawns stay hidden from coyotes and bobcats.
- High-quality browse gives does better nutrition, which boosts milk production and fawn health.
- Clover plots, native forbs, and edge habitat all thrive with spring moisture — making for better doe condition pre-fawning and stronger fawns.
🐾 3. Predator-Prey Dynamics
- Wet springs = taller grasses = better hiding spots for fawns.
- This can reduce predation if habitat is dense and not overgrazed.
- If the rains delay hay cutting or mowing, that also helps fawn survival (less disruption).
🚜 4. Agricultural Tie-Ins
- Missouri’s row crops (soybeans, corn) benefit from spring moisture, which means better late-summer nutrition for the herd.
- Good spring = strong crops = fatter does and bucks come fall.
- But: Too much rain = delayed planting or flooding, which can hurt the food supply down the line.
🎯 Bottom Line for Missouri Hunters:
- Watch how the spring shapes up. A wet but warm and stable spring is ideal.
- Keep an eye on your trail cams in July–August to gauge fawn recruitment.
- Lots of twins = solid spring. Fewer fawns = possible hit from weather, predators, or low habitat quality.
- If fawn numbers look weak, consider easing up on doe harvest for a season.