- General Info
- Licenses, Permits & Fees
- Hunting Regulations
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Seasons & Limits
- Deer Hunting Season Dates
- Big Game Season Dates
- Turkey Hunting Seasons
- Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons & Bag Limits
- Furbearer Trapping Season Dates & Bag Limits
- Small Game Season Dates & Limits
- Waterfowl Hunting Zone Descriptions
- Special Seasons Designated for Young Hunters
- Bear Hunting Season Dates
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Features
- 2020 Why I Hunt/Trap
- Chronic Wasting Disease
- The 10 Commandments of Firearm Safety
- DEC Adopts New Deer Management Plan
- Doe or Fawn?
- Tree Stand Safety
- Fisher Management in New York
- Working Together to Protect Wildlife and People
- Attention Rabbit Hunters
- Spruce Grouse vs. Ruffed Grouse
- Changes in Atlantic Population Canada Goose Seasons
- Moose in New York
- Junior Hunter/Trapper Opportunities
- PDF Downloads
Doe or Fawn?
During the fall, it can often be difficult to distinguish adult does and fawn deer, particularly if seen alone. In recent years, about 30% of the total antlerless deer harvest has been fawns (5–7 months old), split roughly as 13% doe fawns and 17% buck fawns. Though fawns provide excellent table fare, some hunters prefer to target adult deer. Taking adult female deer contributes to management objectives, and passing buck fawns may allow some of them to be available later as antlered bucks. By learning the differences between antlerless deer, hunters can make more informed harvest choices.
Hunting Tips
- Button bucks often travel alone, but adult does rarely do. Wait until several antlerless deer are present before making a harvest decision.
- It is easier to identify sex and age when animals are standing still or moving slowly.
- Harvest antlerless deer early in the season when differences between fawns and adult does are most noticeable.

Fawn
- Body about as long as tall (square)
- Short neck and compact nose/head
- Eyes look large for head
- Doe fawns have a more rounded head shape between their ears
- Buck fawns’ heads appear flattened and may have visible antler nubs or “buttons”

Adult Doe
- Body longer than tall (rectangle)
- Long neck and elongated nose