Overview
Slightly smaller than the Columbia Black-tailed deer and with shorter legs. The coat is darker than in the Columbia race, and has less red in it. There are two white spots on the throat and neck. The dark forehead patch is smaller, and some populations have a prominent dark line down the nose. The antlers are quite a bit smaller and are usually blonde or a dull red color from the local vegetation. The brow tine is often lacking, and it is not unusual to have the T-3 tine missing-that is, to have a single point instead of the rear fork.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Cervidae
- Genus
- Odocoileus
- Species
- Odocoileus hemionus
Habitat
Densely vegetated coastal regions. Distribution- Coastal region of southeastern Alaska and northwestern British Columbia, from the Haines-Skagway area south to Bella Bella and Bella Coola; also on the offshore islands, including the Queen Charlotte Islands where it was introduced. In Alaska, has been introduced in the Yakutat area, on islands in Prince William Sound, and on Afognak and Kodiak islands in the Gulf of Alaska, all of which are similar to its native habitat.
Diet
Browses primarily, but will graze to supplement diet.
Behavior
These deer can be migratory or residential, depending on the habitat they live in. The breeding season takes place in November, with fawns born around June of the following year.
Hunting
Generally easier to hunt than the Columbia blacktail, because in many areas they are numerous and hunters are few. In some units, a hunter may purchase several permits each year.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN. This refers to the overall species, but this particular subspecies is also considered to have healthy and sustainable populations.