Black-tailed deer survive

This is the time of year that we see more of the cheeky Columbia black-tailed deer creeping through the forest edges or silently stealing the remaining leaves and plants from our gardens.

This prolific coastal deer is part of the landscape here in the Lower Mainland, but can be found far into the Interior and on most of the Pacific Islands as well. Similar to their cousins, the Sitka and the mule deer – in fact they are a sub-species of the same – the black-tailed deer shows no sign of being endangered, despite the heavy toll from predators such as the cougar, coyotes, bobcats, and, of course, man, this also includes death by road accidents. According to the Ministry of Environment, 45 to 70 per cent of the new fawns do not survive and the life span of a deer is only eight or 10 years, mostly due to hunting and the ever expanding road systems.

The black-tailed deer rely heavily on old growth forests during the cold months – in fact these areas are crucial to their survival. But here in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, the deer stay all year round. Sometimes the winter ranges of the black and mule deer overlap, and here they will interbreed, producing offspring with both characteristics.

They are good swimmers and identify each other from scent glands on their lower legs, which produce pheromones. They have lovely faces, with large ears rimmed in black and black tails with a pale rump patch. Their noses are more pointed than other deer, and this is a good way to identify them. They are also slightly darker brown than the mule deer, which mainly stay in the Interior areas of B.C. Males have a medium-sized horn rack, which they shed each year. They came originally from the southern part of America, spreading northwards on the corridors left by the receding ice approximately 10,000 years ago, and they still migrate through areas left open from logging and forest fires. Twins and triplets are not rare in this species, and if you come across a young baby with the delightful spotted coat, be careful Mom is not around, for she will defend her fawn to the point of doing injury.

Never feed them as they become familiar with humans and it can cause their death, also the demise of your favourite rose bush!

The deer were a vital part of the survival of the First Nations’ people, especially in the early times. All parts of the animal were used: horns and bone for tools and weapons, meat for food, and hide for clothing and shelter.

Despite everything, the Columbian black-tailed deer lives equably beside us humans here in this area, giving us an “ah” moment when we see them alongside the river path or in the trees.

– Liz Hancock is a member of the Alouette River Management Society, she is also a writer, artist, environmentalist, and teacher of self-sustainable living.

© Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Times