What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

I was in central PA this past week for the start of their Rifle season. Our group was lucky enough to get several bucks and a few does. But what struck me in the two days I was there was the significant size difference in their body size compared to those out here in Nebraska. The Nebraska deer are 9"-12" taller at the shoulder than similarly aged PA deer, and likely 40-60 lbs heavier, at least.

I know the predominant answer is going to be nutrition, that NE deer are corn fed, etc., but the PA deer we were shooting were farmland deer also, and had a mess of corn in their stomachs, have much more available water, white oaks, red oaks (Nebraska only has red), many more pine saplings (do they eat pine saplings?), etc.

Is it the winter forage? The nutrients in the soil, genetics, or what?

Thanks.

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

Nebraska has alot of farmland-corn-fed deer will always be bigger than mast-fed deer.

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

I'm sure genetics have something to do with it. Years upon years of enduring long tough winters will ensure only the strongest animals survive. This is what Darwin was preaching. Unfit deer don't survive to reproduce

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

Athough there is debate on the issue, there is some evidence that the deer from the two areas you mention are a different sub-species. However, it is a fact that the further north you go, animal body sizes get larger (for heat conservation in the winter). But since Neb. and Pa. are about the same latitude, this doesn't apply. Winters in northern PA can be just as nasty as anything in Nebraska.

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RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

I once read that the same species of animals tend to be larger the further from the equator you get. I believe this is referred to as Bergmans Rule. I don't know if Nebraska and Pa. are that much different in distance from the equator. The rule has to do with more mass to withstand the colder weather. Maybe in some points of equal distance from the equator, the animals tend to evolve a little bigger if that area has colder climates over an extended time period.
Just my 2 cents
Dan

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

There are approximately 30 subspecies of whitetail deer in North America.

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

Yeah, this is true, when you get way away from the equater those dang deer turn white and get all fluffy and grow big teeth and claws!:D

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

although they may be amoung the same latitude.. the differences in vegetation, genes, habitat, geographical boundaries, mountains, and interaction with eachother could make their size vary greatly from place to place...

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

N American Whitetail SubSpecies

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

harder the winter bigger the deer,southern states do not see much of a winter,and all them crops up north and they have flat land to,bucks get big up there,around here in tennessee we have hills and bucks got to burn fat to go over these babys. farther south you go smaller deer you get like florida ,it stays warm down there ,so smaller the deer.up their in canada,realy big bucks,extreme winters.bigger the bucks are goin to be.northeast like newyork,they have hills to,and not much of wide open area like nebraska has.but some deer up in northeast can look like deer in the midwest.depends on food source,terrain,whether.


go deep hunt hard.;)

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

i think its called the borealis effect.... not sure though
moose

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

Actually the whole matter of mammals and size in relation to the equator has to do with body surface area ratios. The larger the body surface area becomes the lower the ratio is in proportion to mass. The lower the ratio the easier to keep the body mass warm............dabow

RE: What cause's geographical size differences in deer?
 

Have you ever noticed that some deer from different areas have different shaped heads? Some areas have narrow snouts and some are short and stubby.