Whitetail Deer
A
quick flash of white, a burst of speed and a white tailed deer
bounds away on impossibly slender legs, almost gliding over the
ground toward a curtain of concealing brush. This popular
species (Odocoileus virginianus) exists in all 77 Oklahoma
counties and many Oklahomans are discovering what hunters
already know – watching the white-tailed deer can be fascinating
and addictive.
A member of the Cervidae family, which also includes moose, elk
and caribou, the white - tailed deer, has a thick tan or brown
coat in the summer that fades to grayish brown in the winter.
The name :white-tailed deer” refers to the white underside of
the tail. When a deer is alarmed or running, the tail is held
conspicuously erect like a flag. It has white markings around
its eyes and nose as well as on its throat and stomach. Its
oversized ears aid the skittish creature in picking up the
sounds of predators and its small black nose detects even the
faintest of scents. While some other hoofed mammals have
permanent, hallow horns, male white-tailed deer grow and shed
antlers every year once they reach the age of two.
White-tailed deer are herbivores or plant eaters. The deer’s
diet changes with the seasons, from green plants in the spring
and summer to acorns, corn and other nuts in the fall. In winter
when food is scarce it will consume bark, buds and twigs of
woody plants. Not one to pass up a tasty treat, the white-tailed
deer will also feat on flower and vegetable gardens if given the
chance.
Deer inhabit all types of Oklahoma terrain, but prefer open
woodland. They follow established paths to and from their food
sources and feed in the early morning and late afternoon. Male
deer are known as bucks and females are does.
One of the most interesting times to observe “whitetails” is
during the mating or rutting season. Mating occurs in the fall
when males will fight by butting and clashing antlers to win
access to a doe. Antler size is part of what determines social
status in the herd and a larger rack can increase mating
chances. Males will also use their antlers to strip the bark off
of saplings or low hanging branches and paw at the ground to
create a “scrape” an area of exposed earth which they mark with
scent. Numerous scent glands cover the legs of the deer and
secretions mark their territory during the rutting season.
One to three fawns are born six months after mating and are
reddish-brown with white spots. Fawns can walk at birth and can
even forage for food a few days later. While the doe looks for
food, she hides the fawns under heavy cover where they lie
well-camouflaged against the ground. Fawns may lie quietly for
up to four hours until the mother returns.
Fawns stay with the mother for the first year after which they
male yearlings venture out on their own. Female offspring leave
after two years. Deer live in family groups of a doe and her
fawns. Bucks live either or alone or in small groups of three to
four.
Besides their senses of smell and hearing, whitetails’ natural
defense is their breathtaking speed. Even in dense forest the
deer can reach the speed of 40 miles per hour as they bound over
obstacles. They are also good swimmers and can retreat to
streams and lakes to avoid predators.
The white-tailed deer is the most popular big game animal in
Oklahoma which is remarkable considering its near extinction at
the turn of the century. A brief history of the white-tailed
deer in Oklahoma reads as follows: 1870s-deer abundant;
1890s-reckless over-harvest by settlers; 1910s- barely 500
remain and deer seasons closes; 1930s-restoration begins;
1980s-stable and abundant statewide herd restored. Thanks to the
hard work of generations of conservationists, the deer
population has been restored to its former glory.
Though hunters go afield with the goal of harvesting a
white-tail many spend the day simply watching this magnificent
creature. More and more non-hunters are joining them. If you
want to catch sight of the majestic and graceful whitetail,
early morning and late afternoon, when deer are feeding, is the
best time to spot one. Just be careful not to startle one or
else all you’ll see is the “whitetail” waving good-bye.