10 Facts Every Whitetail Hunter Should Know

Here are 10 interesting facts that every hunter and huntress should know about whitetail deer: 

1. Whitetail are very agile.  Most can be seen roaming through the forest at a speed of up to 30 miles per hour

2. On average, a whitetail deer will feed about 4 times in a 24 hour time window. These whitetail deer need to eat around 8 pounds of vegetation, per one hundred pounds of body weight, per day. For example, a whitetail that weighs 150 pounds can be seen feasting on 12 pounds of vegetation! 

3. Whitetail’s have a lifespan of 20 years in the wild.  Although only a few deer will the the age of 10, many only live about 2 to 3 years. 

4. When a whitetail has large antlers that results from three different factors: nutritious food, increasing buck age, and good genes. 

5. Whitetail deer have scent glands between the two parts of the hoof on all four feet, outside of each hind leg, and on the inside of each hind leg. This makes communication and identification a piece of cake for these animals. 

6. Around the last day of March and the first day of April, adult buck antlers will start to grow.  They usually grow at the rate of about a quarter-inch per day. 

7. Female deer, called does, give birth to one to three young at a time.  This usually happens in May or June. 

8. More times than not, whitetails are at rest or inactive during the daylight hours making them crepuscular animals.  Prime times to see whitetail deer feeding mainly occur from before dawn until several hours later, and again from late afternoon until dusk. 

9. Whitetail deer can swim at a speed of up to 15 miles per hour. 

10. Whitetail deer’s vision is very distinct.  They can only see shades of yellow and blue, and they can view landscapes, forests, fields, etc. at a 310-degree radius.  In other words, wear orange and don’t move. 

Now that you know a little bit more about your favorite game, let’s make this season one to remember.  Share your stories and success with us on the HuntWise app.  We would love to celebrate our passion for the outdoors together! Good luck hunters, and shoot straight.