It’s in your nature: White-tailed deer through the seasons

Pennsylvania’s state mammal is the white-tailed deer. Once strictly a woodland mammal, it has slowly adapted to not only the mountainous, secluded haunts, but also to small woodlots that hide them in the middle of huge housing developments. No matter where they live, they undergo a number of changes to adapt to the seasons and to ensure the species survives.

As April’s longer and warmer days arrive, the whitetail undergoes some changes. The male deer begin to grow their new antlers (not horns) which continue a rapid growth until late August or early September. Female deer (doe) which were bred in fall, are now feeding heavily to nourish the twin fawns which will be born in four to six weeks. All deer by April will begin shedding their grayish winter hair (which is hollow for warmth) and a gradual reddish-brown coat will replace it.

Newborn fawns, spotted to blend in with the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy, will remain motionless until mom returns to nurse them. Deer are most vulnerable now and are not strong or big enough to outrun a coyote, bear or bobcat.

In the area where I do most of my nature snooping, I’ve seen more doe with single fawns. I believe the increasing coyote and bear population is taking a toll.

Studies by researchers verify that two fawns are the normal for a doe between 2 and 7 years of age. Very young and old doe may only give birth to one.

Fawns stay closely attached to the female from now until shortly before the doe gives birth in May the next year. Male deer at about 15 months of age normally move from their home range, and this is most likely done to ensure that these males don’t breed with their mothers in the following years. This would weaken the gene pool.

During summer, it is quite common to see groups of bucks together in bachelor groups while the doe is feeding and “educating” the fawns. However, in late September these bachelor groups split, and the buck now begin searching for does to breed in late October and early November. This is when the deer’s antlers can be used in scuffles over breeding rites.

I have observed a few very spirited sparring events in my days afield. One time I watched two bucks fighting, and shortly a third joined the melee. Please note that deer can get injured fighting, and most times a larger antlered deer uses body language and his big head gear to intimidate his competitor rather than fight.

Nature dictates survival of the fittest. It is better for the deer herd that the strongest buck does the breeding.

A male buck loses sometimes 25% of his weight during the rut when he travels miles in search of females and finding little time to eat. This column will run as the rut is ending, but the increasing road kills you may have noticed were the result of this annual breeding time.

Winter can be quite stressful, especially if we have early and deep snow cover. The recent winters have not been as harsh, but I have found winter-starved deer after winters with particularly deep snows.

This beautiful animal has adapted well and hopefully continue to thrive, but chronic wasting disease may drastically alter the deer population in the future. Let’s cross our fingers that does not happen.

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: Gobblers (male turkeys) have a fleshy, pencil-like growth from their heads called a ______. A. cyst, B. nape, C. snood, D. crop, E. gizzard.

Last Week’s Trivia: Some black bears suffer and die from mange.

Contact Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com.