White‑tailed Deer

Overview

Deer require browse within ≈4 ft of the ground for large parts of the year, plus mast and cover; frequent disturbance (harvests, burning) keeps browse accessible. Population control (e.g., adequate doe harvest) is often essential. 

Natural History

Food

Green leaves, buds, flowers; acorns; grains; berries/fruits; mushrooms; they also feed on agricultural and ornamental plants. 

Cover

Daytime thickets and young forests; use edges effectively. 

Reproduction

Fawns May–Jul (peak ~Jun 1); 1–4 fawns; older does often have twins; dependency ~10 weeks. 

Home Range & Survival

Average home range ≈640 acres; yearling bucks disperse widely; bucks often <2‑year average life where heavily hunted. 

Habitat Requirements

Disturbance to maintain browse access and variety; retain dense cover patches; exclude livestock to prevent competition and cover loss; plan clearcuts and plantations to always have some area in early regrowth stage. 

Management Recommendations

  • Break large tracts into management units on staggered rotations; create 1–2‑acre mast islands during harvests. 
  • Install wide firebreaks or shooting lanes during planting/thinning; locate food plots near heavy cover and screen from roads. 
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