The White-tailed Deer

For many people in our region, the white-tailed deer is the largest wild animal they will ever see. A female can weigh up to 250 pounds and a male upward of 400 pounds. It's exciting and beautiful to see the sleek body of a deer grazing in a field at dusk, a spotted fawn camouflaged in the forest, or the long white tail of a buck flashing danger. On the other hand, it can be frustrating to have your garden or crop devoured by this browser (an adult requires 10 to 12 pounds of food per day), and dangerous to meet one head-on at high speed. A staple for many who enjoy venison, or deer meat, our state mammal is a primary focus of hunters throughout the Commonwealth. Clearly, the white-tailed deer attracts controversy as well as admiration.

Which leads us to an upcoming event, when more than 70 Pennsylvania conservation groups, forestry groups, wildlife agencies, businesses, land trusts, farming associations, water management agencies, hunting groups and others, will join together to conduct a conference seeking possible solutions to the problem of deer overpopulation. “The Challenge of Overabundant Deer in Pennsylvania: A Call for Partnerships” will be held Tuesday, January 6, in Harrisburg, Pa. Audubon Pennsylvania is a co-sponsor of the event. Organizers hope to bring all interested citizens to the open forum.

Today's photo shows a white-tailed deer silently observing though the trees as WPC Volunteer Photographer Damon Perrott captures the moment.

Read more about the January 6 Conference.
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