White-tailed Deer
Last Update/Review: August 12, 2002
Seasons
The following are composites of all seasons available in each hunting region. Archery seasons are those where only a bow and arrow may be used. General seasons are those in which a firearm or a bow and arrow may be used. Antlered, antlerless and special licence (obtained through a draw) seasons have been combined. Specific season information is provided in the current Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations, available on-line and in hard copy.
Seasons
(last update 98 May)
| Region | Archery | General |
| Boreal | late Aug. to late Oct. |
early Sept. to late Nov. |
| Mountains | late Aug. to late Nov. |
mid Sept. to late Nov. |
| Foothills | late Aug. to late Oct. |
mid Sept. to late Nov. |
| Parkland | early Sept. to late Nov. |
November |
| Prairie | early Sept. to early Nov. |
November |
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
(last update 98 May)
The white-tailed deer is Alberta's most abundant cloven-hoofed animal. Its coloration changes from reddish-brown in summer to greyish brown in winter. White-tailed deer are slightly smaller than mule deer. Bucks average 90 kg (200 lb.), and does weigh about 60 kg (130 lb.).
Mule deer and white-tailed deer are similar in appearance, but the antlers and tails are distinctive. White-tailed deer antlers have unbranched tines extending up from single beams. The broad tail is brown, fringed with white, and white underneath. When running, the tail is held erect, exposing its white underside, hence the name "white-tail." White-tails have no rump patch.
White-tails possess excellent senses of sight, smell and hearing. They are extremely wary, and when alarmed they move rapidly, bounding away in smooth, graceful leaps.
In Alberta, the rut, or mating season usually occurs in November. One or two spotted fawns are born to each doe the following spring.
White-tailed deer are found in the wooded river flats and coulees of the prairie or in aspen groves in the parkland and southern boreal zones. Their range is expanding westward into the foothills, mountains and northward further into the boreal zone. They generally browse on forbs, choke cherry, saskatoon, and other shrubs. In addition to food, brushy patches also provide good cover, in which even the largest white-tail is difficult to see.
The Fish and Wildlife Division estimates the provincial population (in Sept.) to be about 232,000 animals. This estimate is based on population counts in selected areas and hunter harvest information.
