About the Deer

The species

Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) are among the smallest deer in North America, and are considered to be a sub-species of mule deer. However, they are very different from mule deer, and have many things about their appearance and biology that make them special.

The habitat

Sitka black-tailed deer naturally occupy a range of forest habitats, from young to older age classes and also including alpine habitats, beach fringes and estuaries, and muskeg meadows. In addition, they have been successfully introduced in other habitat types, such as in tundra habitats on Kodiak Island, AK.