Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the estimated annual harvest of white-tailed deer in Texas?
What is the estimated annual harvest of white-tailed deer in Texas?
What primary factor influences the growth of a buck's antlers?
What primary factor influences the growth of a buck's antlers?
At what age do both bucks and does typically achieve sexual maturity?
At what age do both bucks and does typically achieve sexual maturity?
What time of year does antler development in white-tailed deer typically begin?
What time of year does antler development in white-tailed deer typically begin?
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What is the primary reason for the occurrence of spiked bucks in heavily hunted populations?
What is the primary reason for the occurrence of spiked bucks in heavily hunted populations?
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How long is a doe receptive to a buck during the breeding period?
How long is a doe receptive to a buck during the breeding period?
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Which statement is true regarding the speed of white-tailed deer?
Which statement is true regarding the speed of white-tailed deer?
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What is the primary composition material of antlers in white-tailed deer?
What is the primary composition material of antlers in white-tailed deer?
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Which of the following factors can contribute to a high incidence of spikes in a deer herd?
Which of the following factors can contribute to a high incidence of spikes in a deer herd?
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What is the ideal buck:doe ratio for a healthy deer herd?
What is the ideal buck:doe ratio for a healthy deer herd?
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What is the maximum percentage of a deer population that can be harvested sustainably?
What is the maximum percentage of a deer population that can be harvested sustainably?
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How can livestock grazing practices benefit deer habitat?
How can livestock grazing practices benefit deer habitat?
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How can landowners contribute to better deer management in their area?
How can landowners contribute to better deer management in their area?
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What is the primary reason for maintaining a deer population below carrying capacity?
What is the primary reason for maintaining a deer population below carrying capacity?
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How does livestock grazing impact the carrying capacity for deer?
How does livestock grazing impact the carrying capacity for deer?
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What is the best way to ensure the availability of browse species for deer in a pasture?
What is the best way to ensure the availability of browse species for deer in a pasture?
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What is the average number of fawns produced per breeding doe per year under good habitat conditions?
What is the average number of fawns produced per breeding doe per year under good habitat conditions?
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What type of predators significantly impact the annual fawn crop?
What type of predators significantly impact the annual fawn crop?
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Which of the following is primarily used by deer for reproduction, lactation, or antler development?
Which of the following is primarily used by deer for reproduction, lactation, or antler development?
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What factor can affect the core home range of a deer seasonally?
What factor can affect the core home range of a deer seasonally?
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What is the ideal percentage of cover in an area for deer?
What is the ideal percentage of cover in an area for deer?
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How much water do deer typically consume daily?
How much water do deer typically consume daily?
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What is the typical range for a buck's home range compared to a doe's?
What is the typical range for a buck's home range compared to a doe's?
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Which food type is generally least preferred by deer and may indicate population issues?
Which food type is generally least preferred by deer and may indicate population issues?
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How is the carrying capacity of land for deer primarily determined?
How is the carrying capacity of land for deer primarily determined?
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What is a common limiting factor for white-tailed deer populations, especially in Texas?
What is a common limiting factor for white-tailed deer populations, especially in Texas?
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What is the primary purpose of deer habitat management?
What is the primary purpose of deer habitat management?
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Which age factor is noted as a reason why trophy deer are uncommon in intensively hunted herds?
Which age factor is noted as a reason why trophy deer are uncommon in intensively hunted herds?
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At what age are fawns typically weaned?
At what age are fawns typically weaned?
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What enables white-tailed deer to quickly feed on their food?
What enables white-tailed deer to quickly feed on their food?
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What is the main purpose of the velvet during antler development?
What is the main purpose of the velvet during antler development?
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What is a common characteristic of yearling deer?
What is a common characteristic of yearling deer?
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Which factor is primarily responsible for the regression in antler size of older bucks?
Which factor is primarily responsible for the regression in antler size of older bucks?
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During which period are doe deer typically receptive to breeding?
During which period are doe deer typically receptive to breeding?
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What condition may lead to the occurrence of large numbers of spiked bucks in a deer population?
What condition may lead to the occurrence of large numbers of spiked bucks in a deer population?
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What is a distinguishing factor for the birth month of fawns in relation to their antler growth potential?
What is a distinguishing factor for the birth month of fawns in relation to their antler growth potential?
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What primarily causes non-typical antlers in white-tailed deer?
What primarily causes non-typical antlers in white-tailed deer?
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What is the average gestation period for deer?
What is the average gestation period for deer?
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What are the primary categories of food eaten by deer?
What are the primary categories of food eaten by deer?
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During which period do deer require the most water?
During which period do deer require the most water?
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What is the primary limiting factor for white-tailed deer populations in Texas?
What is the primary limiting factor for white-tailed deer populations in Texas?
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How does an increase in grass consumption by deer typically indicate?
How does an increase in grass consumption by deer typically indicate?
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What age structure is often found in intensively hunted deer herds?
What age structure is often found in intensively hunted deer herds?
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What is typically the result of proper cattle management practices on deer habitats?
What is typically the result of proper cattle management practices on deer habitats?
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What should the ideal percentage of cover be in an area for deer?
What should the ideal percentage of cover be in an area for deer?
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In what situation can a doe have twins or even triplets?
In what situation can a doe have twins or even triplets?
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What factor can affect the size of a buck's home range compared to a doe's?
What factor can affect the size of a buck's home range compared to a doe's?
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How often do does typically wean their fawns?
How often do does typically wean their fawns?
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What is one of the main reasons deer select specific foods?
What is one of the main reasons deer select specific foods?
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What is the normal carrying capacity of the land for deer largely determined by?
What is the normal carrying capacity of the land for deer largely determined by?
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How long can deer typically survive in nature?
How long can deer typically survive in nature?
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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.