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.