How Long Do Deer Live?
Wild deer usually have short lives due to natural threats like predators, traffic, habitat loss, and hunting.
Deer in captivity can live longer due to a controlled environment.
Deer herd's age structure reveals information about their overall health and reproductive success.
Most wild deer live only a few years, but some can reach their early 20s.
Deer have a higher survival rate once they pass their first few months of life.
Various factors affect deer survival rates, including predators, winter conditions, and vehicle collisions.
Does tend to live longer than bucks, with does reaching reproductive maturity at around 1.5 years.
Older deer contribute to a healthier herd, better breeding, and more intense rutting activity.
You can estimate a deer's age using body characteristics and tooth aging techniques.