The whitetail's amazing adaptability allows it to live in virtually every region and climate of North America. Naturally, deer behavior differs slightly from region to region.

The early and ongoing colonization of America did little to diminish the whitetail's presence. To the contrary, it helped increase and broaden deer populations. Before colonization, our forests were large, dense and contiguous. As humans cleared the land, deer moved into diverse new habitats and flourished. Deer fed and mated in open fields and cutovers. Nearby woodlands provided cover and warmth. Today, as the sub-urbanization of America continues, whitetail herds continue to grow and thrive in small, broken habitats.

Deer usually inhabit a relatively small home range, until harsh weather conditions force them to temporarily move elsewhere. Thus, deer in northern states have larger home ranges, since the winters are often long and brutal. Some northern deer travel 50 miles or more to suitable winter ranger. Weather is not the only factor that impacts on a herd's home range. For example, most whitetails in Colorado or Kansas have larger home ranges than deer in Virginia or Alabama. Out West, the habitat is more sprawling and open and the doe densities are not as high as in the Southeastern states. Thus, western deer are forced to move longer distances to feed, bed and breed.

An interesting example of the whitetail's great adaptability is Fire Island, New York. This once secluded place is now a popular tourist beach. Without any predators left on the island, deer roam the beach alongside sunbathers, free of worry.

Pine Tree Plantations Pine plantations are found across the U.S. and especially in the Southeast. They consist of 25 or more acres of planted or naturally growing conifer trees. Conifers, which keep their leaves year-round, provide deer with good cover, especially in winter. They break the wind and provide a warm bedding area. Deer have been known feed on pinecones, though they are hardly a preferred food.

Although pines trees don't lose their leaves, they do shed them, and the floor of a plantation becomes a thick bed of brown needles. It is a great spot for fawns to curl up and hide from predators.