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

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

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

4. 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

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

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

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

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

10. GA PHYS REGIONSGA PHYS REGIONS

11.  Farm crops are a major source of deer food

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Blue Ridge WMA…1940

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

17. Statewide Pop EstimatesStatewide Pop Estimates

18. Georgia Deer Management Land acquisition to preserve habitat

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

20. Georgia Deer Management Wildlife Openings or Food plots

21. Georgia Deer Management Hunting

22. Georgia Deer Management Law enforcement to protect management efforts

24. Future Deer Management Challenges

26. High Protein, Low Fat Meat

27. Family Tradition

28. Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division www.georgiawildlife.com