Whitetail Deer In
The Great Smoky Mountains
National Park

Whitetail deer live throughout the Smokies, but are most commonly seen in areas with open fields such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley.ÊBiologists estimate that more than 6,000 deer may live in the Park.ÊDeer populations can change quickly. Local overpopulation leads to widespread disease and starvation. Predation by coyotes, bears, and bobcats help reduce threats associated with overpopulation.

Deer living in the southern Appalachians give birth in late June. Newborn fawns have no defense beyond camouflage. Many are lost to predation during their first few days. By their second spring, males begin to grow antlers. They fully develop in August, and in September, the bucks fight for mating rights. Mating occurs in November. They shed their antlers fall by mid-winter.

Deer browse for nutritious foods. The diversity of plants growing in the Park providesÊexcellent food sources. When favored foods disappear, deer switch to more common, less nutritious plants. If nothing else is available, they will eat poison ivy or rhododendron. Acorns and nuts are important fall foods.