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???
Top Related