For Minnesotans, seeing a white-tailed deer may invoke visions of Bambi, hunting that trophy buck, a garden pest or a road hazard. But for many Native Americans, deer held a special place in folklore and legend. For the Hopi Indians the deer dance was to bring rain. For the Zuni, it was to bring a cure for illness. The Yurok White Tribe of California believed that their dance to the deer would bring an abundant crop. To prevent frostbite in their winter travels, the Cherokee would rub their feet in warm ashes and would chant to acquire the powers of those animals whose feet never were frostbitten- opossum, wolf, fox and deer. Not only did deer serve a purpose in the spiritual world, they provided food and clothing. Every part of the animal was used in some way. The bones were made into many different tools including needles, hoes, hi de scrapers, cutting tools, and beads. The hair was used as insulation in moccasins and in embroidery.

Deer have a fascinating natural history, as well. Odocoileus virginianus, the scientific name for the whitetail is derived from Greek meaning “hollow tooth.” All deer have hollow teeth and are even-toed ‘ungulates’ or split-hoofed animals. Others belonging to this group include elk, moose and pronghorn antelope. Whitetail males can weigh between 100 and 300 pounds while females weigh 85 to 130 pounds. Coat color varies from reddish brown during the summer months to a darker coat of grayish brown in the winter. For several months out of the year, males or bucks will sport antlers. Antlers grow from April to August and are covered with a soft velvet skin which provides a blood supply to the growing tissue. Antlers grow 1-2 inches per week. By late August growth stops and this ‘velvet’ is rubbed off just prior to the rut or breeding season. Antler size is determined by the age, nutrition and genetics of the individual. You can not accurately age a deer by the points on its antlers. Tamarac biologists age deer by examining a tooth.

Deer have an excellent sense of hearing which allows them to escape predators such as wolves, coyotes and bears. Because a deer’s eyes are located on the side of its head, it has the advantage of seeing 310 degrees around. The disadvantage of this is that a deer cannot focus on one location with both eyes. Therefore, their depth perception is rather poor. Their sense of smell is quite good, however. Like dogs, their noses are wet and can pick up odor particles. A deer may smell you several hundred yards away. Because of these highly developed senses, they can slip quietly away without your even noticing them. When seriously frightened, a deer will snort and dash away quickly raising its tail to reveal the white underside as a warning to others.

Deer are browsers—eating the leaves, stems and buds of woody plants. In late summer and fall, they also consume fruits and nuts. Like cows, they are ruminants, having a four-chambered stomach. This allows them to gather a significant amount of food to be chewed and digested later. Whitetails are very adaptable creatures and live in a variety of habitats. You can see them in prairies, forests, swamps and agricultural fields.

Bucks are generally solitary animals except during the rut. The rut usually occurs in November and can extend into early December. This is an extremely stressful time for males. During this period, they rarely eat or sleep. They will challenge and fight other bucks. They will also be busy marking territories by rubbing their antlers against small trees and by scraping and urinating on the ground. Females will often be seen in small groups. Females will give birth to their fawns in early summer after a gestation period of 200 days. As with most ungulates, newborns are almost scentless and are camouflaged with white spots – blending in with the patchy sunlight on the forest floor. These young will stay with their mothers until the next spring.

In Minnesota alone there are between 900,000 and 1,000,000 deer! That’s more deer than the habitat can support. Too many deer in an area can cause over browsing of the forests. Deer eat the trees, shrubs and small plants that provide habitat for other wildlife. Some bird populations have declined due to the loss of nesting and feeding areas. Because of this, harvesting of deer is a must to control the population. The deer season, corresponding with the rut, is just around the corner. Every year between 150,000-200,000 deer are taken by hunters. Last year 466 deer were harvested by hunters at Tamarac.

So, when the crisp air of autumn drifts this way along with the brilliant colors of the season, take time to appreciate this enchanting creature of the forest – one of beauty, grace and survival.