1. Odocoileus virginianus
Whitetail Deer
Odocoileus virginianus

2. Buck (♂) Antlers (not horns!) spike
Size due to 1) age ) diet ) genetics
Shed annually

3. Antlers … Horns … What’s the difference?!
Are shed & re-grow
Are made of bone
Have branches or “points”
Horns …
Are permanent
Are made of hair
Have no branches or “points”

4. Spring/Summer
Bachelor groups
velvet

5. Fawns …
Born in late May/early June
Virtually scent-free
Spots for camouflage
“Hider” strategy

6. Fall
The “Rut” (Oct-Dec in PA)
“licking branch”
scrape
rub

9. Why must deer populations be managed?

13. How do we manage them?

15. Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency
2005 Harvest Maps