We examined development of 60 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianu
s) fawns from birth to 31 days postpartum to evaluate morphometric mea
sures for predicting neonatal age. We investigated variations in growt
h due to gender and maternal nutrition that might affect age predictio
n. Of 8 morphometric measures examined, hoof growth provided the most
reliable and accurate aging model and was least affected by gender or
maternal nutrition. Hoof growth was best represented by linear regress
ion, which explained 87% of the variation and classified 74% of the fa
wns to within 3 days of age. Because maternal nutrition influenced bod
y mass, chest girth, and total body length measures of fawns, aging mo
dels based on these variables should be avoided.