White-tailed deer

Scientific name: Odocoileus virginianus

How weight is recorded: Carcass weight

Field notes

Appearance

White-tailed deer are tan to reddish-brown in summer, transitioning to gray-brown in winter, with white undersides on the tail and belly. Males grow forward-curving antlers; females lack antlers. Males are noticeably larger and heavier than females.

Size and weight

Males: 65–110 kg, body length 150–210 cm. Females: 45–90 kg, body length 140–190 cm.

Habitat

White-tailed deer inhabit mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, forest edges, swamps, and brushy areas from sea level to moderate elevations. They thrive in fragmented landscapes with interspersed open feeding areas and dense cover.

Distribution

White-tailed deer range throughout eastern and central North America from southern Canada through the United States into Central America. They prefer mixed forests and edge habitat but adapt to varied terrain.

Diet

White-tailed deer browse on woody vegetation, leaves, acorns, and agricultural crops; they also graze on grasses and clover, with food preference shifting seasonally based on availability.

Behaviour

White-tailed deer are primarily crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk, though they may move throughout the day. They are generally solitary or in small groups; males are territorial during breeding season.

Hunting tips

Key sign includes heart-shaped tracks (hoof prints ~5 cm), clustered cylindrical droppings, and buck rubs on saplings during autumn. Approach from downwind through dense cover, moving slowly during dawn and dusk when deer feed. Use terrain features and vegetation to stalk within close range, watching for ear and tail movement that signals alertness.

Carcass weight

This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 14 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.