W HITETAIL D EER C HARACTERISTICS A lesson in the Large Mammals Curriculum.

W HITETAIL D EER C HARACTERISTICS A lesson in the Large Mammals Curriculum

L EARNING O BJECTIVES Describe physical characteristics of the white-tailed deer. Explain the reproductive process and breeding behavior of white-tailed deer. Describe communication behavior of white-tailed deer. List the steps and demonstrate scoring white-tailed deer antlers. Demonstrate aging techniques of white- tailed deer.

P ROBLEM S TATEMENT What are the characteristics of white-tailed deer?

W HAT ARE THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WHITE TAILED DEER ? Size 3 feet tall at the withers 5-6 feet in length Adult females weigh 150 pounds Adult males often weigh over 150 pounds Newborn fawns weigh 4-8 pounds Weight depends on region, habitat, age, and season.

D EER IN M INNESOTA Larger than deer in southern states Larger body frame to hold more muscling and fat reserve to survive the winter Antler size is similar Breeding season is shorter in Minnesota. Fawns need to be born early enough to survive the winter. Less change in daylight in southern states. Hormone change jump starts the breeding season

D EER USE S PEED & A GILITY TO OUTRUN PREDATORS Can run as fast as 35 miles per hour Can leap 30 feet in a single bound Leap up to 10 feet high

D EER S IZE E STIMATION C HART In November, 1926, Carl Lenander Jr. dropped a monstrous Minnesota buck with a single shot. The field- dressed deer weighed 402 pounds. Conservation Department officials estimated its live weight at 511 pounds. No heavier white-tailed deer has ever been recorded.

P ELAGE AND COLOR Fall/Winter pelage- thick, grayish in color, short under fur with long guard hairs. Shed in April-June. Summer pelage- short thin, reddish in color. Shed August-September Fawn pelage- spotted for protection. In August-September lose spots. White markings around eyes, nose, throat, underbelly and rump. Long white hairs under the tail White tailed deer.

W HITETAIL D EER P ELT C OLORS Winter Pelt Summer/Fawn Pelt

W HITE - TAILED DEER HAVE TWO DIFFERENT COATS OF HAIR DURING THE YEAR. The gray winter coat is comprised of longer guard hairs (create air pockets) and a soft wooly underfur that provide insulation from the cold. This thicker winter coat is shed prior to the hot summer months. This shorter summer coat is reddish-brown and lacks the thick insulating underfur. The summer coat hairs are short and wiry.

G LANDS Preorbital gland- lower corner of eye, scent markings on rubs. Forehead- below antler base, scent marking on rubs. Tarsal gland- inner hock on rear legs. Scent markings on scrapes. Metatarsal gland- outer rear legs scent marking on bedded area, sense vibrations. Interdigital glands- between toes, scent marking trails.

G LAND L OCATIONS 1: Tarsal Gland 2: Metatarsal Gland 3: Preputial Gland 4: Interdigital Gland 5: Nasal Gland 6: Preorbital Gland 7: Forehead Gland For more about glands: http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/ hunting/2009/11/how-whitetail-glands- work

S ENSES Vision Monocular Binocular Motion detection acute Peripheral vision Very good night vision Color blind Rarely look up

M ONOCULAR D EER V ISION Monocular and binocular vision each serve a unique purpose. The difference between the two is the ability to judge distances or have depth perception Monocular vision exists in animals with eyes on opposite sides of the head, which prevents the two eyes from ever having a common focal point. It also exists in animals who may have formerly had binocular vision, but have lost vision in one eye.

B INOCULAR V ISION In binocular vision, two eyes work together to focus on a single point. The brain then processes that information to determine depth or distance to that point. Most predators have binocular vision

V ISION OF THE W HITE - TAIL While deer cannot see directly behind, they can see within about a 310 degree arc. Deer can see in three dimension, or binocular vision, in about a 50 degree arc in front of their face.

D EER S T APETUM For More on Vision: http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/pu blish/ATSKO_- _Scent_Control_104/Through_the_E yes_of_a_Whitetail_printer.shtml Tapetum: Box of MirrorsBlack and White TV

T APETUM LUCIDUM A shiny, blue-green colored membrane attached to the deer retina which enhances their vision in low light. Reflections from the tapetum are responsible for the eyeshine we see when a bright light is shone on a deer at night.

S ENSES Smell Most developed sense and is critical for survival Warning, breeding activity, food & family group location. Hearing Acute hearing Antenna like ears Investigate sounds Adapt to sounds Taste Similar to humans Touch Critical to fawn survival Stimulates doe receptivity

SENSE RANK Smell Hearing Sight Taste Touch For more information: http://ezinear ticles.com/? Whitetail- Deer-Senses- --What-You- Need-to- Know-When- Hunting&id= 3721414 Deer Senses

5. S KELETAL S YSTEM Prey animal adapted for running Gait is a mix of leaping and long strides Efficient runner and swimmer

A NTLERS Fastest growing tissue in the animal kingdom. True bone, grow directly from skull Velvet aids in growth: Growth period May-August Velvet antlers sensitive

Antler size depends on genetics, nutrition and age. Antler growth dependent on male hormone Antler hardens and velvet sheds in August Decrease hormone level after rut triggers antlers to cast off

S TAGES OF A NTLER D EVELOPMENT

A NTLER D EVELOPMENT C ALENDAR

T YPICAL A NTLERS Typical Antlers

N ON -T YPICAL A NTLERS The presence of drop tines and other tines not found on the main beam Created by injury, age or genetics http://www.whitetailstewards.com/articleso nsite/deerbiology/antlergrowthandphysiolo gy.htm For More Information of Antlers, go to:

A NTLER S CORING Boone and Crocket scoring system for big game animals Pope and Young - scoring system for big game taken with a bow and arrow Both systems use symmetry, antler spread, diameter and length of beams and number and length of tines for scoring antlers

A NTLER S CORING Boone and Crocket Score Sheets & Process: http://www.boone- crockett.org/bgrecords/ScoringYourTrophy.asp?area=bgrecord s&ID=416327E9 Pope and Young Minimum Scoring Charts: http://www.pope-young.org/minimum-scores_charts.asp

7. T EETH a) No upper front teeth b) 32 teeth c) Used to determine age d) Average lifespan 2-3 yrs. Bucks, 4-6 yrs does.

D EER A GING Six Months 1 Years

D EER A GING For more about deer aging: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov /resource/mammals/deert eth/ages.htm 2 Years3 Years

8. D IGESTIVE S YSTEM a) Ruminants b) 4 chambered stomach 1. rumen 2. reticulum 3. omasum 4. abomasum c) Deer droppings 1. estimate age 2. locate bedding, feeding and trail areas 3. population census 4. stand location 5. current activity

I NTERNAL A NATOMY

R UMINANT D IGESTIVE S YSTEM Four compartment stomach allows the deer to gorge themselves and then lay down during poor weather

F AVORITE FOODS White-tails are primarily browsers Prefer field crops such as alfalfa, clover, corn and soybeans Eat tree buds and leaves, especially in winter when the feed on tender shoots and twigs. Acorns and apples when available

D OPE ON D EER D ROPPINGS Round, individual droppings incate deer have been eating browse such as leaves, twigs, and acorns. Lumpy droppings indicate softer to digest; grasses, clover, alfalfa, apples, and other forbs. Studies have proven that deer pay attention to droppings made by carnivores such as wolves, coyotes, and humans. They are somewhat attentive to the droppings of omnivores and pay no attention to those from herbivores. http://bowsite.com/bowsite/features/armch air_biologist/poop/index.htm

K.Q. #2: W HAT IS THE REPRODUCTIVE PROCESS OF THE WHITE TAILED DEER ? 1. Correlated to four seasons a) Summer 1. family groups of does and fawns 2. bachelor group of bucks 3. dominance established during summer nonviolently

B. F ALL 1. Bachelor groups break up 2. Three distinct phases a. Pre-rut b. Rut c. Post-rut http://www.huntingnet.com/staticpages/stati cpage_detail.aspx?id=56

P RE - RUT 1. antlers harden, shed velvet 2. bucks make rubs 3. sparring matches 4. bucks eat less, spend time alone 5. does continue to feed 6. does ward off bucks

P RE -R UT

R UT 1. Minnesota rut is mid October-December 2. Triggered by photoperiodism 3. Bucks neck enlarges 4. Buck makes scrapes 5. Buck very aggressive 6. Sparring more aggressive 7. Doe indicates receptivity 8. Several days of courting 9. Doe in estrous for 24-36 hrs every 28 days

P OST -R UT 1. Bucks hormone level decreases 2. Buck begin to eat heavy 3. Antlers cast off

C ) W INTER Breeding activity ends Gestation is 187-212 days Deer regroup and yard up Increased mortality occurs

A DVANTAGES OF YARDING UP Conserve energy Conserve heat Safety in numbers against predators Dog that chase deer are harmful as the deer burn up energy reserves they need to survive in winter.

D ) S PRING 1. antler growth begins 2. fawns born may-june 3. doe seeks solitude 4. twins/triplets in high quality habitat 5. after birth doe quickly cleans fawn 6. spring fawn mortality is high

K.Q. #3: W HAT TYPE OF COMMUNICATION DO WHITE TAILED DEER USE ? Any talk between deer probably involves more than one type of communication. For example, an alarmed deer may stamp its foot (visual), snort (vocal), and release scent from its feet (chemical). There are three main communication tools 1. Body Language (visual communication) 2. Voices of the Deer (vocal communication) 3. Common Scents (chemical communication).

B ODY L ANGUAGE T HESE SUBTLE SIGNALS HELP TO ORGANIZE A DEER GROUP AND PROTECT IT FROM DANGER Foot stamp Click here to check out Click here to check out The deer will lift its forefoot very slowly and gracefully, pause a second, and then stamp downward with great force. It will do this repeatedly when disturbed. Foot stamp is used when a deer is alarmed but cannot identify the object of its suspicion. While stamping, the deer will use its nose, ears, and eyes to try to identify the source of alarm. It is often followed by a snort. The stamp is telling other deer that potential danger is nearby. The sound can be heard over short distances; the vibrations can be felt over greater distances. The stamp also urges a potential predator to move or reveal itself and releases scent from the interdigital gland.

B ODY L ANGUAGE Tail movements communicate the mood and danger level of the deer to the herd. Tail Flag (flicking)-The tail is held up and wagged loosely from side to side exposing the white underside and rump patch. Tail flag is used when running from danger, real or imagined. Tail Flare-The tail is flashed and sometimes the white hairs on the rump are flared out. A deer with flared tail and laid back ears is split seconds away from bolting.

B ODY L ANGUAGE Tail Flat-The tail is pressed down so that only the brown hairs are visible. Tail flat is used when a whitetail is hiding or when it is greatly alarmed at close range. It is also used when danger is detected at great distance and there is a chance to escape undetected. All clear-When a deer wags its tail once, in a casual, side-to-side tail flick, it often is an all clear signal. It shows that the deer has decided everything is okay

V OICES OF THE D EER V OCAL COMMUNICATION Vocal communication is not as common among whitetails as visual and chemical communication, but the information is just as important. Main vocal communications Blow or snort Bawl or bleat Grunt-snort

B LOW OR SNORT Click here for a snort The deer forcibly expels air through its nostrils like a greatly magnified sneeze. The deer blows when it detects danger at a distance. These blows are drawn- out whooshes repeated several times. Snorts are single, very short, explosive sounds given as the deer turns to run. Used to warn all deer that something is radically wrong, helps the deer sniff the air better, and may startle a predator into revealing its location or leaving the area.

B AWL OR BLEAT This sound is very similar to a calfs bawl and is used by deer in big trouble. Fawns call their mother by bleating if they are attacked by predators. The pitch of the sound decreases as the deer grows older Fawn Bleat Doe Bleat Bawl

C OMMON S CENTS ( CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION ) Forest-dwelling animals rely less on sight and sound and more on scent. Scent travels farther and lasts longer. A whitetails sense of smell is many times greater than ours.

C OMMON S CENTS Walking- Deer mark their trail every step they take with scent from the interdigital glands on each foot. Used to locate deer. Tarsal flaring-Scent is released by flaring the tarsal hairs into a rosette. Tells an individuals identity, dominance position, physical condition, and reproductive status from the odor of this gland.

C OMMON S CENTS Licking-Bucks communicate with one another by repeatedly marking the same branches. Marking involves mouthing the branch and sometimes rubbing it with the forehead or preorbital glands. At the same time, bucks smell and taste marks left by other bucks. Licking may communicate information about social status and promote social bonding. Buck licking a branch and freshening a scrape

C OMMON S CENTS Urine and feces- Deer urinate and defecate frequently. Deer can probably read the age and sex of other deer from their urine. Used to locate feedings areas.

C OMMON S CENTS Rubs and thrashings -Making a rub or thrashing antlers against branches is actually a behavior, but the marks and scents leave a chemical message for other deer. Click here for a deer rub

C OMMON S CENTS Scrapes-The buck paws at the ground creating an oblong area about 1-4 feet in length. It then rub-urinates in the scrape leaving a calling card for other bucks and reinforcing his social rank. He often licks and rubs his forehead on an overhanging branch. Does in estrous sometimes rub-urinate in scrapes, leaving messages for the buck that they are ready to mate. Click here for a Buck making a scrape

D EER H UNTING

G OOD S HOT The best shot angle. Vital area is exposed, and a broadside shot offers the shortest distance through the chest cavity. Aim straight up from the back side of thef ront leg, halfway between the bottom of the chest and the back.

B ROADSIDE SHOT WITH GUN Bullet: A broadside Deer offers several excellent shots for the firearm hunter. The best target is the chest area. Find the best aiming point on a deer by picking a spot one third to halfway up the side of the animal and just behind the front shoulder. A bullet enter the lungs or heart will provide a good blood trail and a quick harvest. A head or neck shot will drop an animal instantly with little or no meat damage, but should only be used if you are proficient enough with your firearm.

B ROADSIDE WITH B OW AND A RROW A broadside deer represents the best bow shot because it requires the least amount of penetration to reach the vital organs. The best target is the chest area.The broadside shot is also the best angle for accomplishing a double lung hit, resulting in the collapse of both lungs. Find the best aiming point on a deer by picking a spot one third to halfway up the side of the animal and just behind the front shoulder. This will put an arrow in the center of the vital area by enabling you to pick a spot rather than shooting at the whole animal. An arrow will penetrate the ribs, but be careful to avoid the shoulder bone. Wait until the near leg is forward and concentrate on a spot behind the shoulder. Avoid head and neck shots when bow hunting. Wait for the chest shot behind the front shoulder.

Q UARTERING A WAY Bullet: The quartering away angle is a fine shot for the firearm hunter. Aim behind the front shoulder for an effective hit. The bullet will pass through both lungs and possibly the heart and into the far shoulder. Arrow: The quartering away angle is a fine shot for the bow hunter. Aim at the chest area just behind the front shoulder. The arrow should pass through both lungs.

Q UARTERING T OWARD S HOT Bullet: The quartering toward angle is fine for the firearm hunter. Aim at the head, neck or center of the chest for an effective hit. Be aware of where your bullet will end up. If you shoot a deer in or behind the near front shoulder the bullet will likely pass through the stomach and intestines (gut shot) and into the hind quarters. Always avoid the "gut shot", because the contents of the stomach and intestines will taint the taste of the meat. Arrow: This is one of the poorest bow shots and should be avoided. Heavy shoulder bones shield the majority of the vital organs from penetration by arrow. Wait for the animal to pass by and take a broadside or quartering away shot.

H EAD ON S HOT Bullet: This is a fair shot for a skilled marksman. The head and neck are your only clean shots. The center of the chest should be avoided, because it would result in the "gut shot" Arrow: This is a very poor shot for the bow hunter. The vital area is the chest between the shoulders, which is an extremely small target. Wait for a better shot.

R EAR END SHOT Bullet: The rear end shot is a poor shot for the firearm hunter. A shot to the body at this angle will probably ruin the best cuts of meat and will result in a "gut shot" (described above). A head or neck shot is possible if the animal has its head up. Wait for a better shot. Arrow: This is a shot all responsible bow hunters will pass up. The hindquarters have very heavy muscle tissue and heavy bone structure which makes it very difficult for an arrow to get up front to the vital organs.

G UT S HOT If you know you have a Gut Shot deer, let it lay down for at least an hour before searching for it. Green slime left from wound would indicate a gut shot A gut shot deer will often hunch its back and walk away slowly

T EACHER /S TUDENT R ESOURCE P AGE Winter Severity Index: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/weekly/Article_Lookup.asp?id=1661http://dnr.wi.gov/news/weekly/Article_Lookup.asp?id=1661 Food Plot Design: http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-194.pdfhttp://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-194.pdf Deer Anatomy & Shot Placement: http://www.inberg.ca/hunting_essentials/deer_anatomy_&_shot_placement.htm http://www.inberg.ca/hunting_essentials/deer_anatomy_&_shot_placement.htm Dont do this Deer Hunting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TamkWAIPwwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TamkWAIPww Dont do this while Deer Hunting either: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNGGbozilko&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNGGbozilko&feature=related Buck Fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1atb07nlE2Ihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1atb07nlE2I Use of Attractants and Cover Scents: http://ezinearticles.com/?Whitetail-Cover-And- Attractant-Scents&id=6622460http://ezinearticles.com/?Whitetail-Cover-And- Attractant-Scents&id=6622460 Rattling Techniques: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AAgiE_o6owhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AAgiE_o6ow Minnesota Deer Hunters Association: http://www.mndeerhunters.com/http://www.mndeerhunters.com/ Great Source of Short Topics on Deer: http://www.shenandoahviews.com/Whitetails/http://www.shenandoahviews.com/Whitetails/ Jaw bone aging http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaVjWsmkRgAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaVjWsmkRgA Antler Scoring http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqK9KBJ1B7ohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqK9KBJ1B7o Baby Deer Fawn Baby deer fawnBaby deer fawn Whitetails Unlimited Deer PublicationsDeer Publications

Website addresses for more information.. Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources: www.mndnr.gov Minnesota Deer Hunters Association: www.mndeerhunters.com Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture: www.mda.state.mn.us University of Minnesota Extension: www.extension.umn.edu Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/cwd/ USDA, WS: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/cwd/ CWD Alliance: www.cwd-info.org

W HITETAIL D EER C HARACTERISTICS A lesson in the Large Mammals Curriculum.

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