I know deer will mess with the trunk, but often will leave the stems alone because of the thorns. However, later winter when food is scarce, that's when damge to stems would be greatest. I don't know about pawpaw and deer, but they have damaged redbud bark, but don't seem to damage redbud leaves too heavily.

Thanks for the info stompede. Maybe I'll have to put one of those mini fences around them at least while they are young. There are Paw Paws in a wooded lot next to mine and they have no damage at all. That's good news about the redbud too.

Rutting bucks will 'rub' any tree, regardless of species, if it's the right size and has exposed trunk in the right 'strike zone', with no impeding branches.
You'd likely be safe of any browsing on pawpaw or redbud, but that's not to say that an inquisitive youngster won't take a bite here and there.
Hawthorns grow wild here, and I don't notice any particular browse activity on them, but as they're members of the Rosaceae, I wouldn't be surprised to find deer munching a leaf or fruit now and then.

Thanks lucky p. I appreciate the info. As long as they don't completely destroy the trees, I'll be ok. When I moved into this house, I knew nothing about deer. I planted a cherry and a crabapple - needless to say they lasted about 2 hours.

I see. Well, I will also add that 'urban' deer may tend to decimate landscape plantings more so than those in my rural setting where my apple/pear/mulberry trees are just a small part of the smorgasbord they have at their disposal.