North American

White Tail Deer

Hooved Mammals

Hooved Mammals - Characteristics

Give birth to live youngMammary glandsWarm-blooded

Cloven Hoof Ruminant

Single Hoof

Scientific Name: Odocoileus virginianus

Also known as:Whitetail deerVirginia deer

Annual Harvest: 400,000

Texas population: Approximately 4

millionRuminant

Chews cudFour compartment

stomachRegurgitates Food

Whitetail DeerIntroduction

BodySmall to medium hoofed mammal

with reddish to blue-gray or tan colorings

Underside of tail is white

Antlers Consist mainly of main beam with

tines growing from it

Whitetail DeerPhysical Description

Whitetail Deer Buck

Doe

Fawn

Less than one year old

Spike

Whitetail DeerCharacteristics

Sharp eyes

Communication:Snorting, stomping

feet, smell raise the tail "flagging", voice call

Top speed: 30-35 mph

Life span: Usually 10 years or younger

Maturity: 15 – 20 months both does and bucks

Whitetail DeerAntlers

Antler: A solid bony process that

arises from the frontal bone on the head of a deer

Begin April – Shed February

Velvet: A soft, vascular tissue

found on developing antlers

Provides nourishment to antlers

Prime Development:5 1/2 to 6 ½ years of

age

Whitetail DeerAntlers

Spike: An un-branched antler

of a male deer Attributed to genetics,

nutrition, age

Tine: A pointed branch off the

main beam

Point: Must be at least 1inch

(includes the main beam)

Drop Tines

Typical or Not?A B

3-7 pounds of dry matter per day

14% - 18% protein

Woody plants, forbs or weeds, grasses

May include: peanuts, corn, peas, clover, oats, ryegrass, wheat, etc.Example: food plots

Whitetail DeerDiet

Increased eating of grass may indicate:Over populationPoor conditionsToo much competition

½ to 1 gallon of water/dayNeed water within 1 to 3 miles

Whitetail DeerDiet

Texas has most white-tailed deer of any state

Buck’s range is 2-4 times larger than does

Texas hill country is most densely populated area in the country

West Texas and the Panhandle are the only spotty areas for whitetails

Whitetail DeerRange

Inhabits forest, swamps, open brushy areas, foothill plains, and river bottoms

Limited movementRarely more than one to two miles

Whitetail DeerHabitat

Male is polygamous Breeds more than one female

Rut: October - DecemberMaturity: 15 – 20 months both

does and bucksSpotted fawns

twins are normal

Whitetail DeerReproduction

Does - 3 estrus cycles per year

Doe receptive to buck about 28 hrs. Back in heat 28 days later if not bred

Gestation period: 200 days

Fawns weaned at about 4 months

Whitetail DeerReproduction

Texas population: Approximately 4 million

Ideal ratio: 1:1 ratio

Healthy herd: Can withstand 30% harvest

High number of Spikes: Indicates a management problem

Whitetail DeerTexas Population

Record Worthy Antlers

Typical 213 5/8 B&C

Over population???