Whitetail Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Buck (♂)Antlers (not horns!)
Size due to 1) age 2) diet
3) genetics
spike
Shed annually
Antlers … Horns … What’s the difference?!
Antlers …
Are shed & re-grow
Are made of bone
Have branches or “points”
Horns …
Are permanent
Are made of hair
Have no branches or “points”
velvet
Spring/SummerBachelor groups
Fawns …
• Born in late May/early June
• Virtually scent-free
• Spots for camouflage
• “Hider” strategy
scrape
rub
“licking branch”The “Rut” (Oct-Dec in PA)
Fall
Why must deer populations be
managed?
How do we manage them?
Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency
2005 Harvest Maps