White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

A century ago, deer were hunted almost to extinction in the East. When conservation laws were passed, deer populations began to grow. Over the century, many acres of farmland and pastures in the East were abandoned and grew into brushland -- the perfect deer habitat. Today there are more White-tailed Deer in the United States than when the first settlers landed.

Look For : A deer with a reddish-brown coat in summer or a grayish-brown coat in winter. The big white tail is raised when the deer is bounding away. Bucks have antlers that curve forward.

Length : Body about 6' long, 24-48" high; tail 6-13" long; 90-310 lb.

Habitat : Suburbs, woods, brushy areas, and farmlands.

Range : Across southern Canada and across most of U.S., except far Southwest.