White-tailed Deer Bio facts
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Questions and Answers

What is the estimated annual harvest of white-tailed deer in Texas?

  • 1,000,000
  • 600,000 (correct)
  • 400,000
  • 800,000

What primary factor influences the growth of a buck's antlers?

  • Genetics (correct)
  • Environmental conditions
  • Mating behavior
  • Dietary habits

At what age do both bucks and does typically achieve sexual maturity?

  • Two years
  • Three years
  • 15 to 20 months (correct)
  • One year

What time of year does antler development in white-tailed deer typically begin?

<p>April (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the occurrence of spiked bucks in heavily hunted populations?

<p>High competition for food (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long is a doe receptive to a buck during the breeding period?

<p>28 hours (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the speed of white-tailed deer?

<p>They typically run at a speed of 30 to 35 miles per hour. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition material of antlers in white-tailed deer?

<p>Bone (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can contribute to a high incidence of spikes in a deer herd?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal buck:doe ratio for a healthy deer herd?

<p>1:1 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum percentage of a deer population that can be harvested sustainably?

<p>30% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can livestock grazing practices benefit deer habitat?

<p>Proper stocking rates can prevent overgrazing and maintain the carrying capacity for deer. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can landowners contribute to better deer management in their area?

<p>Forming wildlife management associations with neighboring landowners. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for maintaining a deer population below carrying capacity?

<p>To ensure that habitat remains healthy and supports a thriving deer population. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does livestock grazing impact the carrying capacity for deer?

<p>Excessive livestock numbers reduce the carrying capacity for deer. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to ensure the availability of browse species for deer in a pasture?

<p>Retaining and fencing existing woody cover areas. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the average number of fawns produced per breeding doe per year under good habitat conditions?

<p>1.5 fawns (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of predators significantly impact the annual fawn crop?

<p>Coyotes and bobcats (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is primarily used by deer for reproduction, lactation, or antler development?

<p>Nutrients in excess of body growth (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor can affect the core home range of a deer seasonally?

<p>Availability of food supplies (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal percentage of cover in an area for deer?

<p>20 to 70 percent (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much water do deer typically consume daily?

<p>0.5 to 1 gallon (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range for a buck's home range compared to a doe's?

<p>Two to four times greater than a doe's (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which food type is generally least preferred by deer and may indicate population issues?

<p>Grasses (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the carrying capacity of land for deer primarily determined?

<p>Quality and quantity of available food (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common limiting factor for white-tailed deer populations, especially in Texas?

<p>Forage quality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of deer habitat management?

<p>To improve food, cover, and water relationships (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which age factor is noted as a reason why trophy deer are uncommon in intensively hunted herds?

<p>Most deer do not reach full maturity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age are fawns typically weaned?

<p>4 months (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What enables white-tailed deer to quickly feed on their food?

<p>They are ruminants which allows them to partially chew food. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the velvet during antler development?

<p>It nourishes the developing antlers through blood vessels. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of yearling deer?

<p>They are approximately one and one-half years old. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is primarily responsible for the regression in antler size of older bucks?

<p>The cessation of body growth. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which period are doe deer typically receptive to breeding?

<p>For approximately 28 hours per cycle. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition may lead to the occurrence of large numbers of spiked bucks in a deer population?

<p>High competition for food from other deer and livestock. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing factor for the birth month of fawns in relation to their antler growth potential?

<p>Fawns born earlier are more likely to have larger antlers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes non-typical antlers in white-tailed deer?

<p>Injury or heredity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the average gestation period for deer?

<p>200 days (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary categories of food eaten by deer?

<p>Browse, forbs, and grasses (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which period do deer require the most water?

<p>Hot weather (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limiting factor for white-tailed deer populations in Texas?

<p>Forage quality (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does an increase in grass consumption by deer typically indicate?

<p>Overpopulation or competition (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What age structure is often found in intensively hunted deer herds?

<p>Younger age structure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is typically the result of proper cattle management practices on deer habitats?

<p>Enhanced wildlife diversity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should the ideal percentage of cover be in an area for deer?

<p>20 to 70 percent (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what situation can a doe have twins or even triplets?

<p>In good habitat conditions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor can affect the size of a buck's home range compared to a doe's?

<p>Season and competition for resources (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How often do does typically wean their fawns?

<p>At four months old (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons deer select specific foods?

<p>Palatability and nutritive value (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal carrying capacity of the land for deer largely determined by?

<p>Quality and quantity of available food (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long can deer typically survive in nature?

<p>10 years (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is a ruminant?

White-tailed deer are ruminants, meaning they have a four-chamber stomach that allows them to partially chew food, then later fully digest it in a safe place.

How do deer communicate?

White-tailed deer communicate through snorting, stomping their feet, smelling, raising their tail, and making vocal calls.

What are deer antlers made of?

Deer antlers are made of bone and grow from bases called pedicels. They are covered in a soft, velvety tissue while growing and are shed annually.

When do deer antlers reach their prime?

The best antler development occurs when a buck is 5-6 years old. Bucks typically regress in antler size after this age.

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When do deer reach sexual maturity?

Bucks and does become sexually mature during their second fall/winter, around 15-20 months of age.

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When is the deer breeding season?

The breeding season for deer occurs between October and January, with the peak breeding period varying within a county.

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How long is a doe's estrus cycle?

A doe can have three estrus cycles a year, and she is receptive to a buck for about 28 hours.

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What are the age differences between yearlings, fawns, and spiked bucks?

Yearling deer are about 1.5 years old, and a fawn is less than 1 year old. Spiked bucks can occur due to genetics, nutrition, or age.

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Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of animals an environment can sustainably support without harming the habitat.

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Livestock Impact on Carrying Capacity

Overgrazing by livestock can reduce the carrying capacity for deer, leading to less food and habitat.

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Overpopulation Problems

High deer numbers can lead to poor nutrition, weak antlers, and lower fawn survival rates.

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Harvesting Deer

A healthy deer herd can tolerate a harvest of up to 30% of its population without negative effects.

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Ideal Deer Ratio

Maintaining an equal ratio of male and female deer (1:1) slightly below carrying capacity can produce more bucks and ensure quality hunting.

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Cooperative Deer Management

Landowners should collaborate on deer management decisions across their properties to improve overall herd health.

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Livestock Grazing for Deer

Grazing practices that prevent overgrazing help maintain the carrying capacity for deer.

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Range Planting for Deer

Planting species that benefit deer in pastures can provide an additional food source.

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Protecting Browse

Retaining and fencing existing woody cover areas can provide deer with their preferred browse species.

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Gestation Period

The period of time a doe is pregnant, lasting about 200 days.

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Fawn

A baby deer.

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Home Range

The area where a deer spends most of its time, containing food, water, and shelter.

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Core Home Range

The core area of a deer's home range, where they spend the most time.

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Browse

Woody plants that deer eat, like trees and bushes.

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Forbs

Weeds or herbaceous broadleaf plants that deer eat.

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Grasses

Grasses that deer eat.

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Deer Diet Needs

The amount of food needed by deer per day, typically 3-7 pounds of dry matter.

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Deer Cover

Shelter from weather, predators, and humans that deer need.

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Deer Water Needs

The amount of water deer need to drink, usually half to one gallon per day.

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Ideal Deer Cover Percentage

The ideal percentage of cover in a deer's habitat, ranging from 20% to 70% depending on factors like brush species and deer density.

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Deer Habitat Management

Maintaining or improving the relationship between food, cover, and water in a deer's habitat.

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Forage Quality

The most common factor limiting deer population growth in Texas.

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Deer Nutritional Stress Period

The period of time when deer experience the most nutritional stress, often from mid to late summer and late winter.

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What makes deer ruminants?

Deer are ruminants, meaning they have a four-chamber stomach that allows them to partially chew food and then digest it later in a safe place.

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How are deer's senses?

Deer have a keen sense of smell, excellent hearing, and sharp eyesight, making them highly aware of their surroundings.

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When do deer antlers reach their peak?

Prime antler development occurs when a buck is 5-6 years old, after which antler size usually decreases.

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When do deer become adults?

Deer reach sexual maturity during their second fall/winter, around 15-20 months old.

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When is deer mating season?

The breeding season for deer occurs between October and January, with the peak breeding period (rut) varying within a county.

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What are the age differences in deer?

A fawn is less than one year old, a yearling is about 1.5 years old, and a spiked buck can occur due to genetics, nutrition, or age.

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Gestation Period (Deer)

The average time a doe is pregnant, lasting about 200 days.

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Home Range (Deer)

The amount of space a deer needs to survive, including food, water, and shelter.

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Carrying Capacity (Deer)

The ability of a habitat to support a certain number of deer without harming it.

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Browse (Deer Diet)

The main food source for deer, including trees, bushes, and other woody plants.

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Forbs (Deer Diet)

Weeds and other herbaceous broadleaf plants that deer eat.

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Deer's Daily Food Needs

The amount of food a deer needs daily, typically 3 to 7 pounds of dry matter.

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Cover (Deer Habitat)

Shelter from weather, predators, and humans that deer need.

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Deer's Daily Water Needs

The amount of water deer need to drink daily, typically 0.5 to 1 gallon.

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Ideal Cover Percentage for Deer

The ideal percentage of cover in a deer's habitat, ranging from 20% to 70%.

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Forage Quality (Deer Management)

The most common factor limiting deer population growth in Texas.

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Carrying Capacity (Deer Habitat)

The number of deer that an area can sustainably support without harming the habitat.

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Proper Livestock Grazing

The practice of managing livestock numbers and grazing patterns to prevent overgrazing and preserve habitat for other species, like deer.

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Range Planting

Planting species that benefit deer, like legumes and cool season grasses, to increase food availability and improve habitat quality.

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Study Notes

White-tailed Deer Biology

  • White-tailed deer are the most abundant big game animal in Texas, found in most counties. Estimated population: 4 million. Annual harvest: 600,000.
  • Deer characteristics (weight, antlers, food, color) vary across different ecological zones in Texas.
  • Deer, like cattle, are ruminants, allowing for efficient feeding and cud chewing. Top speed: 30-35 mph.
  • Deer possess a keen sense of smell, good hearing, and sharp eyesight, quickly noticing any movement.
  • Communication methods include snorting, stomping, smell, tail raising, vocal calls.

Antlers

  • Antlers are bone, growing from pedicels, unlike horns which are modified hair.
  • Antler growth begins in April, nourished by velvet (blood vessels).
  • Velvet is shed in September, and hard antlers are retained until February, when they are shed.
  • Non-typical antlers often result from genetics, but injuries can also impact shape.
  • Prime antler development occurs at ages 5-6 due to cessation of body growth.
  • Older bucks normally have regressing antler size. Bucks rarely reach 5-6 years old in heavily hunted populations.

Deer Age and Reproduction

  • Yearling deer are approximately 1.5 years old.
  • Fawn: less than 1 year old.
  • Spiked bucks may indicate high competition for food, poor genetics, or young age.
  • Sexual maturity for bucks and does typically occurs during their second fall/winter (15-20 months old).
  • Breeding period: October to January, with varying peak rut periods within a county.
  • Doe estrus cycle: A doe can have three cycles annually, receptive for about 28 hours each cycle, returning in heat after 28 days if not bred.
  • Gestation period: averages 200 days.
  • First pregnancy: usually a single fawn; twins/triplets possible in good habitat, averaging 1.5 fawns per breeding doe per year. State average for weaned fawns per doe (ages 2.5 and older): 0.2-0.3

Nutritional Needs and Predators

  • Excess nutrients are used for reproduction, lactation, and antler development.
  • Fawns are weaned at about 4 months old.
  • Females remain with their mother until she fawns again the following spring.
  • Coyote predation on fawns can range between 20-60% of the annual fawn crop. Bobcats also prey on fawns.

Home Range and Movement

  • Home range: Area where a deer spends most of its time, containing essential resources like food, water, cover.
  • Home range size varies based on resource availability.
  • Bucks' home range is typically 2-4 times larger than does'.
  • Deer may shift their core home range based on seasonal needs (food supply, fawning areas, water).

Estimating Deer Age

  • Age can be estimated by examining tooth replacement and wear on lower jaw premolars and molars.
  • Maximum lifespan in nature is usually less than 10 years.
  • Intensive hunting results in a younger age structure, reducing trophy deer frequency.

Habitat Needs

  • Food sources: browse (woody plants), forbs (herbaceous plants), grasses.
  • Dietary preferences: Deer are selective, choosing foods based on palatability, succulence, and nutritional value. Dietary preference changes seasonally, based on vegetative areas, soils, individuals, and competition.
  • Daily dry matter intake: A healthy diet consists of 3-7 pounds of dry matter daily, with 14-18% protein.
  • Cover needs: Deer need woody cover for shelter from weather, predators, and humans.
  • Cover diversity: Mixed cover is more desirable than single-species cover (20-70% of an area).
  • Water needs: Deer require water to drink, with daily needs increasing in hot weather (0.5-1 gallon). Water sources should be spread throughout the land.
  • Space needs: Several hundred acres of quality habitat are usually needed. Deer densities as high as one deer per 3 acres have been reported, but are typically seasonal. Carrying capacity varies by site capability (soil, vegetation, rainfall).
  • Additional foods: Deer also consume agricultural crops (peanuts, corn, peas, clover, oats, ryegrass, wheat, and others) and sometimes cotton plants. Salt is used if available.

Deer Management

  • Habitat management: enhances food, cover, and water sources to maintain the deer relationship.
  • Food management: Maintaining existing sources or utilizing prescribed burns/mechanical treatments enhances quality and quantity of woody plants.
  • Competition with livestock: Minimize competition by regulating grazing to avoid overgrazing during critical periods (fawning, antler growth).
  • Cover management: Maintain and improve existing cover to address deficiencies.
  • Water source management: Provide readily available water sources throughout the land, ideally within 1-3 miles of each other.
  • Population management: Keep deer populations within the carrying capacity to prevent habitat degradation.
  • Harvest: A harvest of up to 30% of the population is sustainable. Maintain a 1:1 buck-doe ratio (slightly below carrying capacity) for more quality bucks.
  • Group decisions on harvest and management among adjacent hunting leases and formation of wildlife management associations are beneficial.
  • Including deer-friendly plants in grazing land improvements is also important, as is proper livestock grazing to maintain carrying capacity for deer. Using existing woody cover and fencing it off for deer use is valuable.

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Description

Explore the fascinating biology of white-tailed deer, including their population, characteristics, and unique physiology as ruminants. Learn about their communication methods and the development of their antlers. This quiz will enhance your understanding of one of Texas' most abundant big game animals.

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