WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)

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WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
Resources Division
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Range

• Most of North and Central America
• Northern Parts of South America

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Deer FamilyUngulate (hoofed) Cloven (two-piece
hoof)
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Appearance

• Weight 70 to 250 lbs.
• Reddish brown and white coat during summer months
• Grayish brown and white coat during winter months
• Fawns are spotted

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• Bucks are larger in size
• Bucks have antlers
• Antlers are shed and re-grown annually

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Reproduction

• Breeding season October to January
• Gestation period 200 days
• Fawns born between May and August

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Habits

• Home range is approximately 1-square mile
• Deer are most active at dawn and dusk
  (crepuscular)

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• Deer prefer a habitat where there are lots of
  different kinds of plants to eat.

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GA PHYS REGIONS
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• Farm crops are a major source of deer food

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American History

• Used extensively by native Americans and early
  settlers for both food and clothing

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American History

• It is estimated that by the early l900s there
  were only 500,000 deer left in all the United
  States
• Less than 1,000 deer could be found in Georgia
  atthis time

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1928 First Deer Stocked In Ga.

• 1927 Arthur Woody buys 5 fawns from Pisgah Game
  Preserve in NC
• 1928 Nimble, Billy, Nancy, Bessie Bunnie Girl
  released
• 1929 two dozen more fawns bought, held in pen,
  then released

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Blue Ridge WMA1940
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In 1953, 33,000 deer were estimated living in
Georgia
In 1965, 125,000 deer were estimated living in
Georgia!
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Statewide Pop Estimates
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Georgia Deer Management

• Land acquisition to preserve habitat

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Deer Management Habitat Management

• Thinning
• Prescribed Fire

• Retain Mast Producing Trees
• Irregular Cuts

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Georgia Deer Management

• Wildlife Openings or
• Food plots

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Georgia Deer Management

• Hunting

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Georgia Deer Management

• Law enforcement to protect management efforts

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Future Deer Management Challenges
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High Protein, Low Fat Meat
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Family Tradition
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Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
Resources Division
www.georgiawildlife.com