The white-tailed deer is a graceful, medium-sized deer native to North America that has been introduced to several isolated pockets of Europe as a game species.

Location

• Primary European Range: they are most successful in southwestern Finland, where they were introduced in 1934 and have thrived significantly.
• Secondary Ranges: a small, free-ranging population survives in central Bohemia (Czech Republic) southwest of Prague. They are also present near Belgrade, Serbia, and on the island of Brač off the southern coast of Croatia in the Adriatic Sea.
• Historical Range: first introduced to Europe in 1870 in Austria, but the species has since entirely disappeared from that country.

Description

• Size: males stand 36–40 inches (91–102 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 110–250 pounds (50–115 kg), averaging around 150 pounds (68 kg). Females are considerably smaller.
• Anatomy: characterized by a long, slender neck, a narrow face, fairly large ears, and long, slim legs.
• Coat: * Summer: A soft, fur-like reddish-brown coat.
  • Winter: Transitions to a gray or grayish-brown coloration.
• Markings: features a white stripe around the nose and chin, white markings near the eyes, and a prominent white throat patch. The underparts, inside of the legs, and rump are also white.
• Tail: The large, bushy tail can measure up to 18 inches (46 cm). It is brown on top with white edges and pure white underneath. When raised as an alarm signal, erectile hairs flare out to expose the bright white underside.
• Antlers: main antler beams grow from the back of the head and curve forward and inward over the face. Typical antlers feature several short, unbranched tines growing vertically from the top of the main beam, alongside a single brow tine (eye-guard). Non-typical antlers feature tines branching from the side, bottom, burr, or other tines.

Remarks

• Population Success: the introduction into Finland has been highly successful, growing to the point where nearly 15,000 animals were harvested in the 1980 season alone.
• Trophy Quality: finland has produced excellent whitetail trophies. Notable records include a 13-pointer taken in 1966 boasting a 29-1/8 inch (740 mm) main beam and a 20-7/8 inch (530 mm) inside span, alongside several other 10- to 11-point heads with main beams exceeding 23 inches.