Whitetail deer have been around on the prairies , Woodlands ,River Bottoms,Mountain and hill ranges,Deserts,Marshes of North America for thousands of years.

Whitetail deer have been a great source of food for a lot larger predatory animals and humans since the beginning of time.

Not only are they important as a food source they are also important to plant diversity. As strange as it may sound and as much as people see them as a problem with there garden and ornamental vegetation.  Whitetail in there natural native  habitat will carry some seeds on there fur from other locations and with them being in the browsing category they will chew off plant tops while walking , Resulting in pruning back more aggressive species of plants which will allow others to compete and seed.

Most people only see deer for the purpose of record antler production. Deer sausage and yes flower and plant destroyers. While this is all true we have yet to understand the true necessity of this species in its original setting.

What if a deer rubbing the bark off of trees during rut helps to thin out large populations of saplings during the early stages of forest recovery. Actually we plant trees in desired places and space them out for that reason. What if rubs were an important part of this design in nature?  Or scrapes open the soil and allow sunlight and seeds to drop or blow in.   We scratch soil and throw out flower seeds in the spring for flower gardens. Every animal has a purpose and has a specific roll to play in the Natrual setting other than just a food source.

My hope is through education we can and will come to have a better understanding of the important role that is played in nature by the Whitetail deer . Enjoy understand and respect Nature.

  Lets begin before Missouri was a state , Before Lewis and Clark .Pre 1800s 

 It is suggested that whitetail deer numbers were about 1 million plus . But due to heavy market hunting number plummeted through the 1800s.

1890 census  found deer were gone from northern and western Missouri.

1900 census found no deer in Missouri. The Lacy Act was put into effect to stop the traffic of wild game.

1925 census found 395 deer covering 23 counties

1934 census found 2240 deer covering 28 counties around state refuges

1941 hunting permits are$2.00

1944 deer population was estimated around 15.000 state wide.

1950 deer population was 122.142

1955 deer numbers   211,427   Archery  and Rifle tag are $5.00

1958 only one hunter may take one deer during this year . Muzzleloader and pistols mentioned to hunt deer

1960  deer numbers  300,712  Still only one deer per hunter Tag is $5.25

1965 deer numbers 389,997

1970 deer numbers 479,139 deer tag $7.50

1975 deer numbers 568,567

1980 deer numbers 657,852  tag is $ 7.50

1982 Rifle deer season set for first Saturday nearest November 15

1985 deer numbers 747,137

1988 first muzzle-loader season permit is $8.00

1990 deer numbers 836,422 deer tag $10.00

1995 deer numbers 925,707

1998 deer tag $11.00  any deer $11.00

1999 archery deer season set oct1 -jan 15

2000 deer numbers 900,000 deer tag $15.00

2001 first youth season mentioned

2003 Urban and antlerless deer season mentioned

2004 4 point restriction on bucks

2005 deer numbers 1,0 million

2009 deer numbers 1.2 million

2010 deer can be hunted with atlatls

2015 deer numbers 1.3million

2016 crossbows legal to hunt deer

2021 deer numbers 1.4 million

 Lets get started on the ground level and work up.

                                The hooves

As you probably already know deer have split hooves. The functionality of this type of foot is for excellent traction on rocks snow and soils.  They are good for quick turning and maneuverability . They are able to support the deer  on jumping heights between 8-9 feet and support the animal with landings proceeding into quick sprints away from predators. These special hooves will also allow the Deer to run up to 40 miles per hour.

The hoof is made up of mostly Keritain  . This material helps to make the hooves stronger than bone  but flexible to support the deers weight .  In between the hooves there are scent glands that are called interdigitable  scent glands  which release scent with every step .  

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Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.