Nothing embodies the tranquility of the forest better than the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). It moves about without making a sound - and when startled, flips its tail over its back to reveal a white underside as it quickly bounds away. This 'flag' is perhaps the most identifiable characteristic of this showy deer that is the most numerous and widely distributed of all large animals in North America.
The white-tailed deer can be found in any forested or bushy area on the continent - as long as there is enough food to eat. They can be found from Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia) to south-central British Columbia and well into the boreal forests of the north. In fact, some have been seen as far as the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories.
Spring is the season of fawns. While the majority are born in late May or early June, some fawns have been born as early as March or as late as August. Twins are common in regions where food is plentiful, but a female yearling will usually give birth to a single fawn. Single births will also outnumber multiple births if food is scarce or if the winter has been particularly
harsh. Triplets and quadruplets are rare.