Species guide
White-tailed deer
HarmlessOdocoileus virginianus
What does White-tailed deer look like?
A tan-to-reddish-brown deer (grayer in winter) that raises its bright white tail like a flag when fleeing. Males grow branching antlers in season.
Is White-tailed deer dangerous?
Not normally aggressive, but bucks in the autumn rut and does with fawns can be defensive, and they can lash out if cornered. The bigger risks are deer–vehicle collisions and the ticks they carry.
What should I do about White-tailed deer?
Keep your distance, never feed them, and drive carefully at dawn and dusk where deer are common.