Salish Seasonal Guide

Deer

Deer are one of the most familiar large mammals. Although Elk and Moose are technically part of the deer family, the term deer usually refers to Mule, White-tailed and Black-tailed deer.

When to go:

Any time of year!

Where to go:

• Ski Safari
• Skagit Flats

What to look for:

Depending on who you ask, deer are either thrilling, annoying, or delicious. We have four species living in Washington, although only one species is commonly seen west of the Cascades.

• Mule Deer

  Mule deer are found east of the Cascades. They are the largest deer species in Washington. They are named for their big, mule-like ears.

  Mule deer are quite large: males can weigh 250 pounds, and their antlers fork evenly. Both sexes are tan in the summer and gray in the winter, with a small tail with a black tip.

• White-tailed Deer

  White-tailed deer are also found east of the Cascades. They are named for their large, wide tails which have a bright white underside. When a White-tailed deer flees, it will lift its tail and "flash" the white underside as an alert to any other deer in the area.

  Male White-tailed deer weigh up to 200 pounds, and their antlers do not fork evenly. A single beam will have multiple tines growing off of it - this is a great way to tell a White-tailed from a Mule deer. Both sexes are reddish tan in summer and gray in winter.

• Columbian White-tailed Deer

  Columbian white-tailed deer are an endangered species, only found along the Columbia River. The best way to see them is to visit the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer.

• Columbian Black-tailed Deer

  Columbian black-tailed deer are common west of the Cascades. They are (surprise!) named for their black tails, which are broader than a Mule deer's and black all over, rather than just at the tip.

  Black-tailed deer are smaller than their eastern cousins. Males weigh less than 200 pounds. Like Mule deer, Black-tailed deer have evenly forking antlers.

Oh, Deer!

Male deer are called bucks, and they are the ones that grow antlers. The antlers are shed every year and regrown in the spring. Female deer are called does, and they never grow antlers. Babies are called fawns and they will have white spots until the end of their first winter.

Deer are browsers, which means they eat the tender growing tips of bushes and trees, as well as grass. You will often have good luck seeing deer near the edge of woodlands. They like to be close to shelter so they can hide quickly if a predator shows up.

"Deer-o-clock" is a familiar idea to anyone who has driven through the countryside around dawn or dusk. This is the hour when all the deer seem to appear and hang out near the road. Deer are crepuscular, which means they come out in twilight at the beginning and end of the day. If it's overcast, you are more likely to see deer throughout the day.

If you find a fawn by itself, do not approach! Its mother is probably nearby, watching you. Don't get your scent on the fawn! Just leave it alone and give the doe a chance to get back to her baby.

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Sources:
WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife, 2012
The Northwest Nature Guide, Timber Press 2009
Images by USFWS