White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are very adaptable creatures, equally at home in remote forests and fields as well as suburban neighborhoods. Deer in suburban areas rapidly become accustomed to people and can be seen feeding in yards and along roadsides. Deer are found throughout Kiawah Island, browsing primarily on native plants, acorns, and carefully selected ornamentals. Deer breed during the fall from September - January on the island and fawns are born during late spring and early summer. Adult does (female deer) will have an average of 1.3 fawns per year. Bucks (male deer) grow a new set of antlers each year beginning in March. These antlers will harden and the velvet will disappear by August. Bucks maintain hard antlers throughout the breeding season until they are shed in February.

DEER AND DRIVER SAFETY

Deer are most active around dawn and dusk. It is during these times that motorists on Kiawah Island should exercise extreme caution while driving. Planted roadsides attract deer and put them in close proximity to automobiles. Please report all deer-car collisions to KICA Security immediately (768-5566). It is important that detailed records and data are collected from each incident.

10 deer were hit and killed by vehicles during 2007, compared to 8 during 2006.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO:

• Obey the speed limits.
• Watch carefully for deer browsing on the roadside.
• SLOW DOWN if you see a deer crossing the road in front of you, other deer are likely to follow.

DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Historically, deer numbers were controlled by predation, including hunting. No hunting is allowed on Kiawah Island, so the only “predators” of deer remaining are bobcats, alligators, and automobiles. Research has found that Kiawah supports a very healthy population of bobcats and that they act as a significant source of predation, primarily by taking fawns during the summer months. Without these “predators” deer numbers would likely increase significantly. Extensive research has been conducted on the island\'s deer population beginning with a general ecological study during 1996-1998. The Deer Ecology Study was designated Phase I of the Deer Management Program. The results of this study led researchers to initiate Phase II of the island’s deer program (Deer Fertility Control Study). This study lasted from 1999 - 2002. It’s focus was to evaluate the effectiveness of a fertility control drug in reducing deer numbers and deer-human conflicts, including deer-vehicle collisions. The program helped to reduce the deer population on the island to acceptable levels and is no longer necessary.

Kiawah’s deer population size is estimated 2 times per year using spotlight surveys. During these surveys, all deer seen are recorded along an established route. The information is then used to estimate the density of the island’s deer herd.

View Current Deer Population Information