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Oh Deer, It’s That Time of Year

Photo by Tom Hodgson.
Photo by Tom Hodgson.

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Tom Hodgson and the Waterloo Natural History Association for the photos and information in this story.)

Yes, it’s time to think about deer.

Of course, those who have had to deal with them eating their vegetable gardens, hostas and other landscape plants have been well aware of their presence since spring.  For the rest, it’s time to think about them for a couple of reasons.  Some of us would like to put some venison into the freezer, or hang a nice trophy buck head mount on the wall of that “man cave.”  The rest would like to avoid deer so they do not become unwelcome, unplanned, and costly hood ornaments.

Although the threat of car-deer collisions is always present, it increases significantly in the fall.

Photo by Tom Hodgson.
Photo by Tom Hodgson.

We are now well into the rutting season and testosterone stoked bucks are on the move looking for receptive does. They can be seen crossing area roads with noses to the ground on the trail of potential mates.  Deer have never been good at watching for traffic when crossing, but now they are so intent on monkey business that most don’t even bother to look.

Although deer can be on the move any time of day or night, the greatest movement usually occurs just before dawn and at dusk. So it’s time to drive with an eye for movement along the shoulders of the road.

Deer have been building up to this annual ritual all year. Like most wild animals, they are slaves to the changing seasons, or more specifically, the changing day length. Changes in the amount of light reaching deers’ eyes, stimulates their bodies to produce more of some hormones while suppressing others.  The lengthening spring days triggers the shedding of winter coats, and stimulates the beginning of antler growth in males.

Summer deer have rich red coats, as do the spotted fawns.  After the summer solstice in June the days get progressively shorter, and by September, hormones that have been suppressed by the long summer days, come into play. Summer coats are shed and replaced by the dark winter hair, and in the process the fawns lose their spots.

Testosterone spikes in the bucks, stimulating the hardening of their antlers and an increase in muscle mass, especially around the neck, which better prepares them for fighting, and competing for does.  The more mature, stronger or healthier bucks may mate with many does, while the very old, young and weak remain celibate. Most bucks reach their peak for antler growth and mating dominance in their sixth year of life.

After that, the “old gray buck” just ain’t what he used to be, although he may live another four years.

The rutting activity declines significantly in December, as do deer movement and car-deer collisions.  By January, deer are in survival mode, limiting their activities to feeding and resting.  As winter deepens their activity continues to slow, until the days begin to lengthen and the spring hormones kick in once again.

Next week we’ll delve into deer biology and some of their interesting adaptations for survival.

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