Final answer:
The process of separating the doe and her young so that the young can no longer nurse is called weaning. It is a critical developmental stage that helps young mammals transition to solid food and independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Separating the doe (female deer) and her young so that the young can no longer nurse is called weaning. Weaning is an essential stage in the development of various mammal species, including deer. During this process, the young are transitioned from milk to solid food, becoming less dependent on their mother for nutrition. This is a crucial step that ensures the young can fend for themselves and survive in the wild, which increases their chance of survival. Just as killdeers use distraction tactics to protect their chicks from predators and young deer play to learn how to escape predators, weaning is a strategy to prepare the young for independent living.