White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are found throughout Florida. The name refers to the white underside of their tail. When deer are alarmed, the tails are held erect and waved back and forth like a white flag, signaling a warning to other deer.
White-tailed deer are the most economically important game species in Florida. In 2011, Florida deer hunting brought in $95 million dollars in state and local taxes and supported nearly 15,000 jobs. In addition to the economic and conservation benefits of deer hunting, maintaining white-tailed deer populations is critical for the survival of Florida panthers. These deer are a primary food source for panthers; their abundance directly affects panther populations.
They reside in habitats like oak hammock, scrub, grasslands and wetlands. Deer prefer areas with young, low-growing vegetation along the intersection of two different habitats that allow deer to easily feed and avoid predators. White-tailed deer are most active at dawn and dusk, feeding on leaves, shoots, flowers, mushrooms, grasses and fruits of trees and shrubs. This browsing behavior can help manage vegetation, promoting a diverse and healthy ecosystem.
The males, or bucks, grow a new set of antlers every year. Antler growth generally
begins in the spring and by the summer the antlers are covered with a velvety tissue that dries up and peels off. The antlers become hard and smooth and are used during breeding season when bucks will often fight to establish dominance. Antlers are shed in late winter or early spring after the breeding season ends.
Fawning season is usually between March and September. If you find a fawn alone, leave it undisturbed. Since fawns are born with no scent, the doe will hide her fawn in tall vegetation to keep it safe from predators. She visits the fawn several times a day to nurse but limits contact with her fawn, so her scent does not attract predators. After 3-4 weeks, the fawn begins to accompany the doe as she forages. The brown hair with white spots provides excellent camouflage for the fawn.
It is easy to tell if deer are nearby. Deer tracks are identified by their two-pointed toes (hooves) that form a heart shape between 1-4 inches tall and .75-2.5 inches wide. Their droppings, or scat, are piles of ovalish, black pellets. Take a stroll down the Joe Kenner Trail at Gamble Rogers State Park or the Coastal Strand Trail at North Peninsula State Park to see if you can find evidence of deer passing through.
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