All of the deer in Hunters Point are of the
mule deer (mulies) species. They are
distinguishable from the common white-tail
deer of the eastern plains by their
rope-like tails, evenly forked antlers and
extravagant ears. White tails have smaller
ears, antlers with a single main beam
bearing smaller tines, and, of course, broad
white tails. Mule deer bound with
stiff-legged gait, the tail held down;
white-tails move with a graceful lope, the
flag-like tail held erect.
Mule deer are four to six feet long and
stand three feet or more high at the
shoulder. Weights of large bucks range over
400 pounds, but does are only half that
size. Adult males begin to grow antlers in
spring, to be used in a clash for dominance
and breeding rights in autumn. Antlers are
then shed in winter.
Deer
are browsers, feeding mostly on woody
vegetation, including twigs and leaves of
shrubs and trees, including ornamentals.
They also forage on crops, especially corn.
Because they eat little grass, they tend not
to compete seriously with livestock or elk.
Mule deer breed from October to December.
During the mating season, bucks can be very
aggressive and may even attack people and
pets. Do not approach deer and do not
leave pets unattended with deer nearby.
After a gestation period of six and a half
months, spotted young (usually twins) are
born. Deer are frequent traffic casualties,
and mountain lions, coyotes and packs of
feral dogs prey upon them. Licensed hunters
take 50,000 to 80,000 deer annually in the
state from a population estimated at 700,000
animals statewide.
