Get Outside!

White-tailed Deer

Class Description:

In this animal ecology class, students will learn about white-tailed deer by exploring the woods for their signs. They will track deer, inspect feeding stations, follow trails, and investigate beds. In this way, they will learn about adaptations, life cycles and management of deer in northern Minnesota.

Outcomes

  • Upon completion of the White-tailed Deer class students will be able to:
  • List three physical and behavioral adaptations deer have to survive the winter.
  • Find and interpret various signs left by white-tailed deer.
  • Explain the historical effect of humans on deer populations in the United States.
  • Discuss methods used in modern deer management to regulate deer populations.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

Wolf Ridge has aligned the Center's entire curriculum to Minnesota Department of Education Academic Standards. As the primary student audience at Wolf Ridge is from 4th-12th grade, the matrices address these grade levels. Teachers may request that their students focus upon a specific benchmark while attending Wolf Ridge. The Wolf Ridge Curriculum Standards Matrix addresses benchmarks in

  • Science
  • Math
  • History and Social Science
  • Language Arts
  • Arts

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts

  • All living things exhibit physical and behavioral adaptations which make them successful in their environment.
  • Much can be learned by observing and drawing conclusions from indirect evidence, such as signs.
    Populations are limited to a density that the environment can support by shortages of basic needs, and may be further reduced by other mortality factors.
  • Humans have a great ability to alter natural systems, and a responsibility to consider the effects of our actions.
  • See entire Wolf Ridge Curriculum Framework

 

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Time
3 hours total
2 1/2 hours outdoors

Audience
4th grade - adult

Activity level
strenuous

Travel
1 mile

Total uphill travel
250 feet