White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are most often seen in early morning or late afternoon when they move out on the edge of open areas to feed. At other times they stay in thick brush. Whitetails are much more wary than mule deer and they run in undulating leaps with broad white tails "flagging" (held erect and waving from side to side). Their voice is rarely heard; it is a low bleat by fawns, guttural grunts by old bucks in rut; and both sexes give a loud, sharp, whistling snort when alarmed. They are excellent swimmers.

In spring and summer the basic group is a doe and her fawns. Bucks live alone or in small groups until the November rut when they search out the does and fight each other for dominance. Gestation is about 7 months and twins are most common. They sometimes form groups of up to 25 in winter, especially when the snow gets deep.

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