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Whitetail Deer Information
Literature |
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The Natural History of Deer. Putman, Rory. Comstock Publishing Associates, 1988.
This book reviews current knowledge of the biology and the natural history of th world's 40 species of deer . Putman takes a functional approach, comparing and contrasting the characteristics of the different species and explaining their similarities and differences in relation to the different environments they have come to colonize.
Big Game in Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Conservation (Division of Game and Fish) Apr. 1965 pgs. 11-48.
Although this book’s statistics are outdated, it does provide some useful information. It gives specific information about the whitetail’s scent glands, pelage, antlers, size and weight, dentition, gait, vocal sounds and longevity. It also gives a detailed description of how to manage the area that deer live in along with other management considerations.
The Mammals of Minnesota. Hazard Evan B. University of Minnesota Press, 1982. Pgs. 159-162.
This book provides measurements of whitetail deer and their distribution according to county in Minnesota. It provides both a physical description and an illustration of the skull of the Odocoileus virginianus. The natural history section describes reproduction habits and eating habits. In describing its relationship to people, many of the topics are as important today as when the book was written. These topics include dangers to highways, pests to farmers and orchardists, herbivore in reforestation projects and economics asset to communities.
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1. A Year in Whitetail Country. 1991. Griffen Productions.
The stunning photography and absorbing soundtrack of this national award
Winning video will immerse you in the secluded environment of the whitetail
deer. Surrounded by the natural sounds of a woodland and the narrative
of actor Joseph Campanella, you will follow the changing behavior of this
magnificent creature throughout its annual cycle.
Wildlife cinematographer Gary W. Griffen spent thousands of hours during
three years in the woods, capturing rare whitetail footage. Observe mature
bucks sparring, rubbing their antlers and making scrapes in a prelude to the
breeding season. Learn more about the deer’s social hierarchy, and its world
of scents and sounds. Watch a doe raise twin fawns in the sun-dappled
woods and gain a better understanding of what the fawn acquired from its
mother and environment.
As the seasons change, you’ll also develop new insights into the deer’s home
range, feeding habits, inter survival and its relationship with coyotes, dogs
and humans.
2. The White-tailed Buck. 1998. Discovery Channel.
This video provides excellent insight to the life of the whitetail buck. Topics covered in the video include mating rituals, scent dispersal, social hierarchy, antler growth, seasonal behavioral patterns, and overall activity of the buck.
Internet Sites
1. "Wildlife and Habitat" of the Deer
http://ngp.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/wtdeer.html
This website provides excellent insight to the physical characteristics of the whitetail deer. Other topics covered include deer research, deer disease, and the increasing problem of high urban deer populations.
2. "Minnesota DNR"
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/wolves/index.html
The Department of Natural Resources plays a key role in the functioning of Eyes on Wildlife. They work with the class by providing a hands on opportunity for students to go in to the field and participate in the actual tagging of deer and wolves. They also provide the satellite information which is used with the GPS Tracking Systems and mapping.
3. "About the Whitetail"
http://www.hunting.net/deer/the_whitetail/
Topics included in this outstanding website are the deer’s history, social behavior, anatomy, breeding, habitat, food, how seasons affect the deer and predators and diseases of the deer. It includes informational pictures in most areas. It also provides links to other deer websites. It is encouraged to take a close look at the entire page.
4. "Barnes and Noble"
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Using the keyword "whitetail deer," we were able to find many books that contained valuable information about the whitetail deer. This site is a great place to look for books for your school library!
Deer Teeth Internet Sites
1. "How old is your deer?"
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/tools/deerteth/deerteth.htm#contents
Have you ever wondered how scientists figure the age of whitetail deer? This website will take you through the process step-by-step. Pictures, Illustrations, and Text are available to help you along the way.
Eyes on Wildlife Curriculum Outline