Odocoileus hemionus columbianus
Odocoileus hemionus columbianusAlso known as Columbian Blacktail, Coast Deer, Pacific Black-tailed Deer
Columbian black-tailed deer are master navigators of the dense, damp forests of the Pacific Northwest, slipping silently through thick underbrush where larger deer would struggle. Recognizable by their broad, completely black-topped tails and large, sensitive ears, they rely on keen hearing to detect predators in the foggy coastal woods. During the autumn rut, mature bucks clash antlers in dramatic displays of dominance, while winters find them migrating to lower elevations to feed on lichens and evergreen shrubs.
- diet
- Browsers feeding on huckleberry, salal, Douglas-fir, lichens, and ferns
- family
- Cervidae
- threats
- Habitat fragmentation, vehicle collisions, predation, and chronic wasting disease
- life Span
- 10 to 15 years in the wild
LC
Bucks can be aggressive during the autumn rut, and individuals carry ticks; observe from a safe distance.
Bucks can charge during the autumn rut, and protective does may strike with hooves if they perceive a threat to their fawns.
Give them at least thirty yards of space, never feed them, and back away slowly if they stare or stomp.- Keep your distance: Never approach closely, especially during the autumn mating season or when a doe is with fawns.
- Watch the tail: A raised, flicking tail indicates the deer is alert to your presence and may bolt.
- Check for ticks: Always perform a thorough tick check after walking through the tall grasses and brush they frequent.