White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
The White-tailed Deer is the most widely distributed deer in the Americas, and is also the only deer commonly found on Montreal Island and the surrounding areas. They can easily move between locations on different sides of the river surrounding Montreal Island, although I have never observed them swimming.
- 🇫🇷 Chevreuil, Chevreuil de Virginie, Cariacou, Cerf de Virginie
- 🇩🇪 Weisswedelhirsch
- 🇲🇽 Venado de cola blanca, Ciervo de cola blanca, Ciervo de Virginia, Venado de Virginia, Venado gris
Characteristics
- Length: 180-240cm
- Weight: ♂ 54-136kg, ♀41-90kg
How to Identify
If you spot a deer on Montreal Island it is most probably a white-tailed deer. Characteristic is their white tail displayed when running away.
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Where and When to Spot
Although common, I saw white-tailed deer only in the remote parks such as Park Pointe-aux-trembles, Ile Bizard and surprisingly in Park Michel Chartrand which is completely surrounded by the city Longueuil. This deer is around all year long. Strangely, I never saw a male White-tailed deer.
Observations by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | x | x |
| Parc Mont Saint-Bruno | - | x | - | - |
| Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | x | - | - | x |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | - | - | - |
"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from the park during that season.
Photography Tips
Most of our photographs of White-tailed deer have been captured in Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairie, which we highly recommend visiting during the winter months. The deer in this park have become accustomed to being fed by visitors, resulting in them losing their shyness and allowing wildlife enthusiasts to capture close-up shots, even with a mobile phone. Another excellent location for observing these deer is Michel-Chartrand Park in Longueuil. During the winter, their fur becomes fluffy and beautiful, making the cold season our favorite time of year to capture stunning photos and videos of this magnificent species.
Despite the White-tailed deer losing their shyness, it is crucial to exercise caution and avoid getting too close. Prioritizing both your safety and the well-being of the animals is essential. There have been reports of White-tailed deer being infected with COVID-19, and it's important to remember that wildlife can also carry other infectious diseases. It is advisable to maintain a safe distance and never feed wildlife.
Furthermore, feeding wildlife disrupts their natural behavior and can diminish their ability to survive in hazardous conditions. When wildlife becomes dependent on human-provided food, they may lose their instinctual skills for finding natural food sources, which can be detrimental to their long-term survival. It is essential to allow wildlife to rely on their natural instincts and forage for food in their natural habitat. By refraining from feeding wildlife, we help ensure their resilience and ability to thrive in their environment.