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 adapations, life cycles and management of deer in northern Minnesota.

Total time: 3 hours (2 1/2 hours outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: strenuous
Travel: one mile
Total uphill travel: 250 vertical feet

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

The White-tailed Deer class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.

• HS Sciences 2.1: Biological Concepts: Dec. 3, 4, 5, 6: Proc. 2: Field Study.
• H.S. Sciences Environmental Studies: Dec. 3: Proc. 3d. Add. 4.
• HS Managing Resources 5.1: Natural/Managed Systems: Dec. 1, 2: Proc. 1abc.

• 8th Sciences G8.1: Living Systems: Dec. 23: Proc. 2: Add. 3, 4, 5.

• 5th Sciences G5.1: Living and Non-living Systems: Dec. 1, 3a: Proc. 1: Add. 1-4:

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 environmnent 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.

Classroom Connections*

• Journal page download
• Pre-visit activities
• Post-visit activities
• Links to White-tailed Deer information and activities on the web

*requires Wolf Ridge password