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White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can
be found throughout Florida from the panhandle to the keys. White-tailed
deer vary in size depending on the habitat in which they occur. Adult
male deer in Florida average 115 pounds while the smaller females average
90 pounds. The Key
deer subspecies (Odocoileus virginianus clavium)
is notably smaller, averaging just 27 inches at the shoulders and weighing
80 pounds.
White-tailed deer are primarily browsers, feeding on the leaves, shoots,
flowers, and fruits of trees, shrubs, and forbs. Because deer are
browsers, they may occasionally damage planted shrubs and landscaping.
Fencing is an effective remedy, but it can be expensive in large areas.
Repellents may have limited use.
It is important to avoid contact with fawns. Early in life the
wobbly-legged fawn protects itself from predators by hiding rather than
fleeing. During this time the female limits contact with her fawn
to avoid attracting predators. In a week or two, when the fawn is
stronger, this behavior changes. So if you approach a fawn and it does
not flee please leave it alone. You can be assured that its
mother is not far away. Female deer never abandon their fawns unless
they are forced to by repeated disturbance or harassment!
You can receive technical assistance with deer management by contacting
the FWC regional office nearest you.
More information
Ecology and Management of White-tailed
Deer in Florida
Controlling
Deer In Our Nurseries And Landscapes
Resistance of
Ornamentals to Deer damage
(pdf)
History of Deer Management in Florida
Texas wildlife
info on White-tailed deer
Deer busters commercial site
ElectroBraid
Wildlife Exclusion, electric fence
Deer
of British Columbia (including tracks)
University of
Nebraska Cooperative Extension
(pdf)
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