Whitetail Deer - Interesting Facts:
- Browse lines-the stripping of plant species below four to six feet high-indicate overpopulation of Deer.
- Deer are very territorial and will not leave an established area, even if that means starving themselves to death.
- Without regulating factors like predators and Hunting, two Deer can produce a herd of 35 deer in just two years. In addition, lack of predators may double the Deer population annually, leading to over-population.
- The average life-span of Deer is four to five years, although some can live to be 11 years old.
- Fawns thrive on milk, which is more than twice as rich in total solids as the best cow milk, the first few weeks of life.
- Deer have multiple stomachs. Because they eat rapidly, they initially only chew their food enough to swallow it and it is stored in the "rumen". It is then regurgitated, re-chewed and swallowed, and passed through to the second stomach where digestion begins. The process continues by passing through the third and fourth stomach, and onto the intestine.
Why are Whitetail Deer prevalent in Missouri?
Observing Deer in Missouri through Streaming Web Cams provide a fantastic experience for people of all ages! Whitetail Deer are some of the main hoofed animals located in the Ozarks, and the wooded areas, open fields, and vast expanses of water provide the ideal, natural habitat that Deer crave. Because of this perfect balance, nature and animal enthusiasts across the country know that Missouri is rich in Game, and find Ozark Dream Hunting one of the best places to observe these animals in their natural surroundings.
Whitetail Deer: What are their Characteristics and Needs?
Whitetail Deer Characteristics. Female Whitetails weigh between 110 to 140 pounds and the Whitetail Buck averages 150 to 200 pounds. They are usually reddish tan in the summer and turn brownish gray in the winter. They were named the "White Tail" because of their broad and long tail (usually 10 to 11 inches in length) that is raised when they are alarmed revealing the white underside.
Whitetail Deer Shelter. Deer live most of their lives on the edge of wooded or brushy environments. This allows them to feed where food is most prevalent while having a place of shelter nearby. Although, Mule Deer travel long distances in the spring and fall to avoid mountain snow, Whitetail Deer normally reside in a rather small area-1/2 to 3 square miles.
Whitetail Deer Reproduction. Deer breed in November and December, during the rutting season. This is a competitive and period for Deer because the Buck is prone to fighting. The rutting season also makes Deer vulnerable to hunters and predators as his reproductive tendencies take over. Pregnancy lasts 180 to 200 days resulting in one to three does, depending on the age of the Deer. Almost immediately after birth, the fawn will begin to walk. Unlike the elk, Deer do not travel in herds, but may be seen in larger groups approaching the winter because of the harsh environment.
Whitetail Deer-Life Span. Bears, cougars, coyotes, and dogs are some of the biggest predators of the Deer, while eagles and bobcats prey on young fawns. The Deer population is controlled by disease, hunting, and vehicles. As Hunting mortality increases, other forms of mortality decrease, and vice versa. And most Deer do not live to be over the age of five.
Antlers. At the age of six to eight months, male fawns develop small bumps on top of the head, stemming from the skull called buttons. As the Deer ages, the diameter and mass of the antler grows. Although older Bucks typically have more antlers, it is not an indicator of their actual age, but is dependent on diet, genetics, hormone levels, and overall health. After the antlers fall off, they are used to sharpen and strengthen the teeth of small animals, such as mice, rats, squirrels, hares, and porcupines, by providing them with calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals.
Whitetail Deer-Signals of their Presence:
Although Deer can be seen at all times of the day, they are most active near dusk and dawn. Because Deer have a keen sense of smell, it is necessary to stay down-wind from them and to remain very quiet so they do not sense your presence. The sound of rain also muffles the sound of walking through the area and a heavy rain will even dilute the human scent, making you less detectable. Deer often feed in open meadows or near the entrance to wooded areas where they will retreat to chew their cud and rest.
Fall is another popular time to spot the Whitetail Deer because it is the period of rut where Bucks are aggressive towards other males as they battle each other for females, and are not as concerned with staying hidden. Winter is also a popular season because they remain at lower elevations and can be seen soaking up the sun. However, this is a time when they are more aware of harassment and will flee the area if they feel threatened.
Whitetail Deer-Tracks and Trails. The hoof prints of Deer form a split heart or two tear-drop shaped halves side to side, but can take on a V-shaped appearance if they were walking on a slippery surface, such as mud or snow. They hoof adapts to the surface to prevent the Deer from sliding forward. Because the Deer travel in a limited space, they have often worn a path that is clear of low vegetation. Droppings. Whitetail Deer droppings are usually dark cylindrical pellets shaped similar to an elongated acorn (1/2 to 3/4 inch long) and wet in appearance. In addition, these pellets may clump together if the Deer has been feeding on moist vegetation.
Feeding Areas. Whitetails are very selective when it comes to the type of food they consume and will choose first the items that will provide the most nutritional value. These foods include grass, fruit, nuts, forbs, sedges, and portions of shrubs and trees. Because Deer feed off of the plants and vegetation that grow in their territory, a browse line is formed where twigs and branches have been eaten and the remaining vegetation has ragged edges. However, when the Deer feed on new growth, a clean, blunt stem-end is left where the plant breaks off. Rubbing Sites. Bucks will rub the velvet off their antlers as a way to signal they are ready to breed and informing the other Buck's that they are present. This process of rubbing their antlers against brush and trees causes oxidation to occur. As a result, chemical reaction stains the antlers various shades of brown.
Bedding Areas. Whitetail Deer will sleep in tall grass to remain hidden from possible prey and will go back to the same spot for several days. To find out if a Deer may be nearby, one can look for flattened areas of vegetation that are 3 to 4 feet long and 2 to 3 feet wide. Similar areas to this will be found in the winter, but the snow will be littered with old hair.
Calls. A doe will often call for hidden fawns by mewing in a gentle tone. Bucks make a more boisterous grunt during rut and older Deer will snort or blow to inform others that a potential predator is nearby. In addition, when frightened, a Deer may bleat.
