Harvest of females can be a controversial but necessary tool in managing wh
ite-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. Because little is kno
wn about the effects of female harvest on their orphaned fawns, we compared
survival rates, home range area, and movement rates between fawns (7 M, 7
F) orphaned during early November, and unorphaned (4 M, 6 F) fawns for 11 m
onths postorphaning. Distance moved during 3-6-hr periods (P = 0.498) and 2
1-27-hr periods (P = 0.502) did not differ between orphaned and unorphaned
fawns. However, compared with unorphaned fawns, orphaned fawns had smaller
home ranges (95% minimum convex polygon [MCP]: 153 vs. 285 ha, P = 0.015, n
= 23; 95% harmonic mean [HM]: 191 vs. 314 ha, P = 0.035, n = 23), and lowe
r survival rates (0.79 vs. 1.00; P = 0.060, n = 24). Our results suggest ea
rly-season female deer harvest may negatively affect fawns, potentially red
ucing recruitment. Therefore, managers should carefully consider the timing
of female harvests relative to management goals and harvest strategies.