White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus

Texas population: 4 million

Annual harvest: 400,000

Ruminants and chew their “cud”

Sharp eyes

Communication: snorting, stomping feet, smell raise the tail “flagging”, voice call

Top speed: 30-35 miles/ hour

Antlers: bone material

Antler development begins in April

Antlers are nourished by blood vessels called “velvet”

Velvet shed: September

Antlers shed: February

Prime antler development: 5 ½ to 6 ½ years old

Fawn: less than 1 year old

Spikes can be attributed to: genetics, nutrition, and age

Both bucks and does normally reach maturity at 15 to 20 months old

Rut: October to January

Does can have 3 estrus cycles a year

Doe is receptive to a buck about 28 hours and be back in hear 28 days later Gestation period – 200days

Weaned at about 4 month old

A buck’s home range is 2 to 4 times bigger than a doe’s

Death: usually 10 years or younger

Food: Browse or woody plants Forbs or weeds Grasses

Diet consists of 3 to 7 lbs. Of dry matter per day and 14 to 18% protein

Increased eating of grass may indicate over population, poor conditions, of too much competition.

Sometimes they eat crops such as: peanuts, corn, peas, clover, oats, ryegrass, wheat, etc… Cover: 40 to 50% of an area They need some type of woody cover

Water: ½ to 1 gallon per day Need H20 in 1 to 3 miles.

Population: Ideal 1:1 ratio A healthy herd can with stand a 30% harvest A lot of spikes indicate a management problem