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

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

Deer Family Ungulate (hoofed) Cloven (two-piece hoof)

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

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

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

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

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

GA PHYS REGIONSGA PHYS REGIONS

 Farm crops are a major source of deer food

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

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 at this time

1928 First Deer Stocked In Ga 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

Blue Ridge WMA…1940

In 1953, 33,000 deer were estimated living in Georgia In 1965, 125,000 deer were estimated living in Georgia!

Statewide Pop EstimatesStatewide Pop Estimates

Georgia Deer Management Land acquisition to preserve habitat

Deer Management = Habitat Management Thinning Prescribed Fire Retain Mast Producing Trees Irregular Cuts

Georgia Deer Management Wildlife Openings or Food plots

Georgia Deer Management Hunting

Georgia Deer Management Law enforcement to protect management efforts

Future Deer Management Challenges

High Protein, Low Fat Meat

Family Tradition

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division