whitetail deer

LC - Least Concern

N5 - Secure

SNR - Unranked

not listed

The tail is wide and ends in a black tip. There is no rump patch around the tail. When the animal runs the tail stands erect.

On males the antlers develop on a main beam that grows forward. Branches on the antlers are either unbranched prongs, or prongs with minor branches. They do not split equally.

The males are about 20% larger than the females.

Total length: 71″ to 84¾″

Tail: 11″ to 14″

In the winter scat is a pile of pelets. In the summer, when there is more moisture in the diet, the pellets bunch up into larger masses. Fresh scat is dark and shiny. After a few days it loses the sheen. It lightens in color as it ages.

Prairies, forests, swamps, wood lots, agricultural fields.

2 to 10 years

Leaves, twigs, shoots, acorns, berries, and seeds, grasses, and herbs.

Sources

7, 15, 24, 29, 30.

The range of Dakota whitetail deer (O. v. dacotensis) extends into western and northwestern Minnesota.

The range of Kansas whitetail deer (O. v. macrourus) extends into southern Minnesota to about the Minnesota River Valley.

Northern whitetail deer (O. v. borealis) are found in the northeast, north-central, central, metro, and southeast regions of the state.

Common and widespread

Whitetail Buck in Velvet...

There was 2 of them. One ran into the woods right away. I filmed the one just entering the woods as it paused briefly to feed. I was surprised when I uploaded the footage and noticed the larger buck just inside the woods. It turned its head giving a glimpse of its antlers. Nice sized antler growth for early July on them both. Encountered these 2 bucks in velvet on July 6, 2022 in rural Norman Co. Mn. Putting together a short video of the buck in velvet encounter.

3 Whitetail bucks...

If you look close you can see a third buck in the woods. It was nice the largest of the 3 posed nicely. The larger on is a 10 point buck though it may not be the easiest to tell.

Whitetail buck last Spring...

While out in some woods not far from a small creek in rural Norman County, Mn. during the Spring of 2019 I noticed a large deer browsing a distance away. I could only make out parts of the deer due to brush and trees blocking the view. I could tell the body size was rather large but that was it.

I was down wind from it so I tried to get closer to get a better look since there was ample trees branches and foliage etc. blocking my view. I managed to get to an opening and noticed the buck watching me so I aimed my camera at him and took the photo. By deer hunting season this buck may have a fairly impressive full rack of antlers. I had this buck encounter June 17, 2019.

FAWN PORTRAIT...

It had a few green plant seeds stuck on it. One on the forehead and a couple on the body front area. Since they are a little bigger they seem to get around more and one needs to watch in out of the way areas or backroads one never knows when one could spook and dart out in front of a vehicle. They are cute that is for sure.

Whitetail deer fawns...

They were very cute!

Gotta love the game cam!

A Whitetail fawn stiopped to look at us as we stopped in The Big Stone Lake State Park Bonanza area.

The Whitetail fawn seeing what is making some unexpected noise....children.

A White Tail Deer at sunset in the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.

Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Long Meadow Lake Unit

Doe and fawn, just off the Bluff Trail

Crosby Farm Regional Park

Whitetail deer can be seen throughout the park. I saw this buck near the parking area at Shepard Road and Elway.

Fort Snelling State Park

Resting deer seemed unconcerned that I was only 10-12 yards away

Caught this deer working along a backyard in the city of Duluth.

Fawns

Sign

Don’t eat the blue snow

This blue urine spot is sign of a deer browsing on common buckthorn.

Location: Westwood Hills Nature Center

At the Westwood Hills Nature Center, we saw some life on July 22 this year.

This was all found by the A/C Christian Church of Minneapolis.

Location: rural Norman Co. MN

There was 2 of them. One ran into the woods right away. I filmed the one just entering the woods as it paused briefly to feed. I was surprised when I uploaded the footage and noticed the larger buck just inside the woods. It turned its head giving a glimpse of its antlers. Nice sized antler growth for early July on them both. Encountered these 2 bucks in velvet on July 6, 2022 in rural Norman Co. Mn. Putting together a short video of the buck in velvet encounter.

Location: Houston County, MN

Location: Albany MN

Gotta love the game cam!

Location: Norman Co. MN

If you look close you can see a third buck in the woods. It was nice the largest of the 3 posed nicely. The larger on is a 10 point buck though it may not be the easiest to tell.

Location: Gunflint Trail

Location: Westwood Hills Nature Center

Location: The Big Stone Lake State Park

The Whitetail fawn frolicking in the woods before stopping to look at other noises in the deeper wooded area of The Big Stone Lake State Park Bonanza area.

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A Whitetail doe at sunset in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge pausing for a few moments before taking flight.

Location: Westwood Hills Nature Center

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A White Tail Deer at sunset in the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.

Location: Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary

Location: rural Norman Co. MN

They were very cute!

Location: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Long Meadow Lake Unit

Doe and fawn, just off the Bluff Trail

Location: Crosby Farm Regional Park

Whitetail deer can be seen throughout the park. I saw this buck near the parking area at Shepard Road and Elway.

Location: Gull Lake, MN

Location: Fort Snelling State Park

Resting deer seemed unconcerned that I was only 10-12 yards away

Location: Westwood Hills Nature Center

Location: St. Louis Co.

Caught this deer working along a backyard in the city of Duluth.