In many mammals, mothers closely associate with offspring both before and after weaning. Social bonds during infancy and adulthood have consequences for offspring fitness and sociality, and this has been the subject of some research, especially in the field of primatology. However, few studies have assessed whether mothers influence offspring fitness after the point of weaning. When it comes to sociality, even fewer studies have assessed the role mothers play in influencing offspring social ties and social stability. In this thesis, I investigate these questions using long-term data from a population of red deer(Cervus elaphus). Specifically, I show that in both sexes orphaning reduces prospects of survival even when it occurs after weaning. I further show that orphaning prior to weaning reduces male antler growth but does not affect female primiparity at age 3 years. Finally, I find no evidence that mothers affect offspring sociality in infancy and adolescence.