Fast Facts

• In New York City, white-tailed deer can currently be found in Pelham Bay and Van Cortlandt Parks in the Bronx and throughout Staten Island green spaces.
• Deer migrated to Staten Island by swimming from New Jersey and to the Bronx by walking from Westchester.
• Male deer are called bucks. Adult bucks grow and shed antlers annually. Bucks are more active in the fall (October – December) because of mating season, making them much more likely to be hit by motor vehicles.
• Female deer are called does. Does give birth to 1-3 fawns in late spring (May – June).
• Deer can swim, run up to 35 miles per hour, and jump over an 8-foot-high fence.
• Deer eat a variety of plants, fruits, and leaves; overgrazing can alter forest composition, allowing invasive species to flourish and threatening the future sustainability of forests.
• All wildlife in New York State falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
• It is illegal to hunt anywhere in New York City.

Five Easy Tips for White-tailed Deer Coexistence

1. Do not feed white-tailed deer. Feeding increases nuisance behavior, putting both deer and people at risk. It is also illegal.
2. Drive with caution, especially at dawn and dusk. Deer are most active in the evening and early morning, and especially during the fall mating season.
3. Check for ticks after visiting a park or green space. Humans and dogs may contract tick-borne diseases if bitten by an infected tick.
4. Leave fawns alone. It is normal for mother does to leave fawns unattended for long periods each day.
5. Call 911 to report an injured deer or an immediate threat to public safety or animal welfare.