Late last month, I photographed this weary White-tailed Deer doe at the edge of a road in Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma. She was being chased.
White-tailed Deer doe being chased to the edge of the road – Canon R7, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 1600, +0.7 V, Canon 100-400mm at 263mm, natural light
The White-tailed Deer rut was still ongoing, and that day I saw several bucks chasing a few does at the refuge. This doe and another one crossed the road, and both looked a bit tired.
Bucks expend a lot of energy during the rut, chasing females and fighting for the right to breed with them. Does, on the other hand, use a lot of energy trying to get away when they aren’t ready to breed.
It has to be exhausting for the bucks and the does during the rut.
Hopefully now that the deer hunts are finished at the refuge, the deer will be a bit more at ease. The rut should be about finished now too.
I enjoy seeing the deer at the refuge and it is still a change for me to see White-tailed Deer and not the Mule Deer I was used to seeing out in Utah. The White-tailed Deer simply look a bit daintier to me and their ears are much smaller!
It is especially wonderful to add more White-tailed Deer photos to my galleries!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my White-tailed Deer photos plus facts and information about this species.
I hope you are right and that both bucks and does can rest now.