whitetail deer

Common and widespread

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

2 to 10 years

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.

Isolated occurances of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Minnesota have been reported. The mule deer has much larger ears. There is a white rump patch around the tail. The tail is thinner than the tail of the whitetailed deer, and ends in a black tip. When the animal runs the tail hangs down. On males the antlers develop on a main beam that grows upward, rather than forward. Each branch of the antlers are split into a forked pair.

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

Sources: 7, 13, 15, 24, 29.

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

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

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

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

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: St. Louis Co.

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