Not Just Bambi's Mom

By Jonathon Chiu

Columbian White-tailed (CWT) Deer Image Source: Brian Tang (Flickr)

I. Description and Ecology of Organism
The Columbian white-tailed (CWT) deer, or Odocoileus virginianus leucurus, is endemic to the United States and is the western most subspecies of white-tailed deer throughout North America. In the Summer and Spring, their coat is exhibited to be red/brown and in the Winter it changes to grey. Only males have antlers that regrow yearly after shedding in the winters. Rutting, the breeding period, begins in November and lasts for almost a month. Gestation of does (females) lasts 9 months with fawning peaking i

II. Geographic and Population Changes
Early records have indicated that the CWT deer were numerous as populations use to range from the Cascade mountains to the Pacific and Pugat Sound,Washington, downward to the Umpqua River Basin in southern Oregon.  

There are two geographic locations in North America where the CWT deer currently inhabit: The Columbia River and Roseburg in Douglas County, Oregon. The Columbia River population estimates approximately 300 to 400 animals of which live along the lower river in Oregon and Washington. Many sub-populations exist within the Columbia River community, each separated from the next by a river channel or patches of unfavorable habitats. 
The Douglas County population of CWT deer is approximately 2,000 to 2,500. This population encompasses nearly 1,200 square kilometers (or 463 square miles) and are mostly found in riparian lands. The following image below shows the two populations of where the CWT deer exist.

Columbian white-tailed deer potentially occurs in these Oregon counties for the Columbia River population and the Douglas County population (fws.gov)

III. Listing Date and Type of Listing
The CWT deer was federally listed as being endangered in June 1968
The Columbia River population status is still endangered.
The Douglas County population status was delisted in July 2013. 


IV. Cause of listing and Main threats to its continued existence
The CWT deer became endangered due to two reasons:

1. Habitat Degradation 
- farming
- logging
- commercial and residential Development

2. Overhunting and Poaching

CWT deer hunting is offered on 7,000 acres of private land in Douglas County, Oregon (Fisher Outfitters)

V. Description of Recovery Plan
The objective of the CWT deer recovery plan is to not only protect the habitat of the species, but to also take the species off the list of endangered species. This can be be accomplished by the following two objectives:

1. The recovery of the Columbia River population would require: maintaining the viability of 400 deers; the sub-population on Tenasillahe island must be at minimal 50 deers; and the securing of the habitat of one additional sub-population. Securing habitats can be accomplished through many methods which may include, but is not limited to: landowner incentives, zone ordinances,and involvement of private and public agencies. After the recovery of the CWT deer, there must be a long range plan to maintain the deer's secured status. Currently, the Columbia River population of the deer has been delisted. 

2. For the full recovery of the Roseburg population, the CWT deer must have a viable and minimal population of 500 deer distributed in 5,500 acres of secured habitat within he Umpqua Basin of Douglas County. This land must be owned, controlled, and dedicated to the conservation of the CWT deer. Methods of securing this habitat are similar to that described in the Columbia River population. Again, after the recovery of the Roseburg population, there must be long range management to secure its status. 

VI. References
1. Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hard-rain/158986693
2. http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/ColumbianWhiteTailedDeer/
3. http://animalstime.com/white-tailed-deer-facts-white-tailed-deer-habitat-diet/
4. "Revised Columbian White-tailed Deer Recovery Plan." Www.fws.gov. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 14 June 1893. Web. <file:///C:/Users/Jonathon/Desktop/Deer%20Recovery%20Plan.pdf>.
5. http://www.fisheroutfitters.com/Columbian-White-Tailed-Deer-Hunting.php


By Jonathon Chiu

Columbian white-tailed deer -- Columbia River DPS
Odocoileus virginianus leucurus
Plan Date 06/14/1983
Plan Stage: RF(1)
Land Region: Pacific Region
Listed As: Endangered