I Have a Cool Job #9 "More Deer"

Part of the fawn mortality study is capturing and collaring a number of does as well. We capture does by "hunting" them. Literally, I even wear my camo sometimes. With a dart gun we quietly slip into a likely spot. One person is usually the caller and the other the shooter. Does come to a call very eagerly in early spring. We have to call them in to within about 15 yards to get an accurate shot with the dart. The darts are equipped with telemetry equipment so we can track down the deer once the drugs have taken effect. The doe is fitted with a radio collar, ear tags and a transmitter is implanted vaginally. This allows us to know when she has given birth. How do we know she will give birth? Because we also check out the fawns in utero with a portable ultrasound machine. Is that slick or what?