Whitetail Deer
odocoileus virginianus borealis
Nomenclature
Male: Buck
Female: Doe
Young: Fawn
New Zealand has the only herds of whitetail deer in the southern hemisphere.
Size
Bucks stand around 1m at the shoulder and weigh 50kg, with does lighter at 40kg.
Colour
Both sexes are similar in colour, with greyish brown winter coat and a light brown summer coat. The underside, chin, upper throat and rump patch are white. The tail is long, greyish-brown, fringed with white and white underneath.
Antlers
Only bucks carry antlers, which are small and curve forward with vertical tines and no brow tines. Antlers are cast in July and August, with velvet hardened by the following March.
Rifle and calibre
Centrefire calibres of .223 and above are suitable for shooting whitetail deer.
Record Trophy
207 Douglas Score taken by Ray H. Hammond, at Rees Valley in 1988.
Record Book Qualification
120 Douglas Score.