We recently had a couple close encounters with some white-tailed deer in Fort Wild. They weren't building a fort or searching for fairies, so what were these native animals up to?

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are found throughout Mecklenburg County. From rural fields and forests to urban backyards, white-tailed deer may be spotted in the early morning and late afternoon browsing for their favorite food.

During spring and summer months, they munch on the fresh shoots of many native plants, including Hearts-a-Bustin (Euonymus americanus), one of their favorites. As summer transitions to fall and winter, their diet changes to primarily acorns, nuts and the buds of many hardwood trees. Fort Wild and the 100-year-old forest along the Paw Paw Nature Trail are perfect spots for these animals to find something to eat.

Mating typically occurs in late autumn, with a litter of 1 - 3 fawns born in early summer. During breeding season, bucks rub their antlers on trees, depositing a scent to communicate with other deer. These same bucks will shed their antlers in late winter to get ready for the next breeding season.

Did you know that a fawn can outrun a human by the time they are only one week old? An adult deer can run at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour!