Discover The Largest Blacktail Deer Ever Caught In Alaska

Written by Alan Lemus
Updated: May 9, 2023
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Blacktail deer are a subspecies of the mule deer. They mainly live in the Pacific Northwest’s coastal woodlands. 

You’ll also find them occupying the north and southeast parts of Alaska.

Today, we discover the largest blacktail deer ever caught in Alaska. We also find out the world’s largest deer ever recorded. Finally, we’ll learn about deer’s reproduction, adaptations, threats, and protection.

The Largest Blacktail Deer Ever Caught In Alaska

According to the Boone & Crockett Club records, hunter William B. Steele, Jr. caught the largest blacktail deer in the history of Alaska in 1987. The non-typical Sitka blacktail deer scored 134 points, and Steele still owns the trophy. Steele’s trophy is also the largest blacktail deer ever caught worldwide.

The most recent non-typical Sitka blacktail deer caught in Alaska was by hunter Jamie K. Lockhart in 2020. It recorded a score of 118 6/8 points. Lockhart still owns the trophy.

Similarly, the largest typical Sitka blacktail deer ever caught in Alaska scored 128 points. Captured in 1985, the trophy is owned by Craig Allen, the author. Its hunter remains unknown.

David C. Rowan caught the most recent typical Sitka blacktail deer in 2019. It scored 108 1/8 points and is owned by the hunter (Rowan).

Hunter William B. Steele, Jr. caught the largest blacktail deer in Alaska

Hunter William B. Steele, Jr. caught the largest blacktail deer in Alaska in 1987 which is also the largest blacktail deer caught worldwide.

©yhelfman/Shutterstock.com

The Largest Blacktail Deer Ever Caught Worldwide

The world’s largest typical Sitka blacktail deer was caught by Peter Bond at Juskatla in British Columbia in 1970. It scored an impressive 133 points.

William Steele caught the largest non-typical Sitka blacktail deer in 1987. It was seen on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska. It scored a record 134 points.

Where Is Alaska Located On A Map?

Alaska is located in the far upper northwest corner of North America. It is the northern and westernmost state. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and the Yukon to the east, by the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas to the north, by the Bering Sea to the east, which border it shares with the Russian Federation of Chukotka, and the Pacific Ocean is to the south.

Growth And Reproduction

The blacktail deer mating season starts in November and early December. During this time, you’ll observe bucks running across the roads in pursuit of does.

After the rutting period, the bucks go into hiding to rest and nurse wounds. Most experience weight loss and suffer from broken antlers. Between January and March, the bucks will shed their antlers which are a great source of nutrients for the forest vegetation. Their antlers will regrow from April to August. 

Does start breeding at two years and will keep giving birth until 10-12 years. The gestation period takes 6-7 months. They birth the fawns weighing 6.0 to 8.8 pounds in late May and throughout June. 

After giving birth, the mothers hide their offspring as they browse and replenish their bodies. The mortality rate of the fawn is 45-70%, with humans being their main predators.

The blacktail deer’s main diet during summer is shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. In winter, they will eat evergreen forbs like trailing bramble and woody browse like lichens, blueberries, arboreal, and yellow cider.

Blacktail deer fawn

After a 6-7 month gestation period, blacktail deer birth fawns weighing 6.0 to 8.8 pounds in late May and throughout June. 

©Dennis Blum/Shutterstock.com

Adaptations Of The Blacktail Deer

The blacktail deer has many adaptations that help it to live in its environment. These include the following. 

Excellent Sense of Hearing

The blacktail deer has a keen sense of hearing and can hear low frequencies that humans can’t. This allows them to detect predators such as bears and wolves long before they are seen.

Deer have large ears pointed forward on the sides of their head. The ear flaps are long and narrow, which helps funnel sound into the ear canal. This allows the deer to concentrate on sounds coming from a particular direction while blocking out other noises. 

The inner ear contains three semicircular canals that will enable the deer to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. The semicircular canals also help with balance when running or jumping through brush or over logs in the forest.

Stiff Tail

The blacktail’s tail is stiffer than other deer species, which helps with balance when moving through thick vegetation or snow-covered terrain. A stiff tail also serves as a warning signal when the animal senses danger nearby.

Keen Eyesight

The blacktail deer can see up to eight times farther than humans because of its large, dark eyes. The deer’s eyes are also more light-sensitive, making it easier to spot predators in the dim forest understory. They can even detect movement in total darkness.

Speed and Agility

The blacktail deer can run up to 30 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest land mammals. This speed is due in part to its long legs and large feet. 

The long legs provide extra length for pushing against the ground at different speeds, and the large feet allow a greater surface area from which to push off. The blacktail deer also has a high body mass compared with other deer species, providing more momentum during a run.

Antlers

The blacktail deer’s antlers are relatively small and well-spaced. They are used to fight other males and defend territory. The tines on each antler can be sharp and dangerous. 

Antlers are shed and regrown yearly, an example of morphological adaptation. 

Adaptive Hooves

The blacktail deer’s hooves are adapted for different terrains. The hoof comprises a hard outer shell and a softer inner portion called the frog. The outer part of the hoof is keratinized, making it hard. This makes sense because this part of the hoof will be exposed to rocks and dirt when walking on hard surfaces.

The frog is made of softer tissue, making it more flexible than the rest of the hoof. This allows the deer to walk on smooth surfaces such as mud or snow without getting stuck or injuring itself. The frog also provides traction when moving through wet conditions, which is essential for survival during rainy seasons or crossing rivers or lakes.

Blacktail deer have adapted to their environment

Blacktail deer have many adaptations helping them live in their environment including advanced hearing, keen eyesight, adaptive hooves and speed.

©Jeffrey B. Banke/Shutterstock.com

Threats To The Blacktail Deer

Blacktail deer and their populations face several threats, including hunting, predation, and habitat loss.

Hunting

Hunting is the primary threat to blacktail deer. The proximity of their range and their reproductive success make them an easy target for hunters. This is especially true in the winter, when deer are easier to find, as they have little food available during this period. 

But it is not just hunting for meat that poses a danger to these animals; it is also hunting for sport and trophy purposes.

Predation 

The blacktail deer is subject to predation by many species, including mountain lions and coyotes. Blacktail deer also face competition for food and space from other animals such as elk, moose, and mule deer.

Mountain lions prey on adult and young blacktail deer, but most of their diet consists of calves. 

Mountain lions typically hunt by ambush rather than stalking prey, but they will stalk if necessary. They use their keen sense of hearing and smell to locate prey. Once they have found their prey, they attack from behind or above, using their claws to deliver a fatal bite to the neck or head of the animal.

Coyotes are opportunistic predators that will eat almost anything they come across. When food is scarce, they feed on insects or rodents to survive until something more desirable is available. 

Coyotes hunt by stalking their prey until they get close enough for a quick attack before fleeing with their meal into cover where it can be eaten safely away from danger.

Mountain lion prey on blacktailed deer

The blacktail deer is subject to predation by many species such as the mountain

lion

which ambush their prey, attacking from behind or above.

©Holly Kuchera/Shutterstock.com

Loss of Habitat

The habitat for these animals has been reduced due to human development. They are also losing their habitat due to converting forested areas into agricultural land. When this happens, there is less food available for them which causes them to move over long distances looking for it. This makes it harder for them to find mates and reproduce successfully.

Ways To Conserve The Blacktail Deer

Blacktail deer are a threatened species, and they are often the focus of conservation efforts. However, the main reason for their decline is human activity. To protect blacktail deer populations, people must reduce the impact they have on the environment.

Here are some ways you can help conserve blacktail deer.

Improve Habitat

Blacktail deer habitat is diverse and complex. The most important thing you can do to help blacktails is to maintain their habitat’s integrity. This means keeping roads and other human-created disturbances out of the way, keeping weeds and invasive plants under control, and preventing overgrazing by livestock or other animals.

Blacktail deer are well adapted to many habitats but prefer open woodlands with lots of brushy covers. Open meadows and grasslands are also crucial because they provide food for fawns during spring and summer when vegetation is scarce. 

Blacktails need a variety of plant species in their diet — different species in different seasons. Maintaining diverse herbaceous communities around your property offers excellent benefits for these deer.

Reduce Litter

Litter is a problem for wildlife, and blacktail deer are no exception. Tossing trash out the window of your car or in your yard can harm or kill animals that try to eat it. If you see litter on the ground, pick it up and recycle it. You can also volunteer with organizations to help clean up local parks and trails so they are safe for blacktail Deer.

Don’t Feed Deer

Feeding deer can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans, which can lead to devastating consequences for both parties involved. Deer fed by humans often become aggressive and attack people who come near them or try to protect them from danger (like cars). 

Keep Dogs Leashed

The presence of dogs can cause blacktail deer to move into areas where they will be more vulnerable to hunters. They also pose an increased danger to the deer because they can transmit diseases such as brucellosis and canine distemper to them.

To keep your dog from harassing or injuring deer, keep it leashed and away from areas where deer may be found. Also, if you see a mother with young fawns, give them a wide berth so you don’t disturb them.

Support Wildlife Conservation Organizations

Wildlife conservation organizations are dedicated to protecting and preserving wildlife and its habitat. They also educate people on how they can help protect these animals.

Another way to conserve blacktail deer is by donating money to wildlife conservation organizations. These organizations need funds to carry out their work. If you want to help them, you can donate money to help them fund conservation projects.

You can also volunteer at a wildlife conservation organization if you have time and want to help them out in their efforts. Volunteering at an organization allows you to learn more about the animals that need protection and develop new skills such as leadership and teamwork.

Blacktail deer grazing

Blacktail deer are a threatened species, and they are often the focus of conservation efforts.

©SteelPhotography/Shutterstock.com

Key Takeaways

The blacktail deer plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. They are an essential food source for larger predators. The presence of the blacktail deer also helps ensure an adequate food supply. Although many plant species depend on wind pollination, they may rely even more heavily on this animal as a vessel for their reproductive needs. 

Without them, some plants may go extinct. On a larger scale, there would be a significant decrease in biodiversity without these animals roaming freely about the land. Considering how crucial it is for these reasons and more, it is clear that there should be no concern about protecting this animal from those who would harm it and its habitat.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Bob Keefer/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Alan is a freelance writer and an avid traveler. He specializes in travel content. When he visits home he enjoys spending time with his family Rottie, Opie.

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