Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or avid hunter, deer certainly are a species that can be appreciated by all. The many breeds that can be found in the US range from the widely spread white-tailed deer to well-antlered mule deer, Elk, Sika, Caribou and Moose among others.
In the wild, the white-tailed deer makes a good hunter’s buck every now and then, a sure target for their AR-10 rifles. However, one will need to search elsewhere to appreciate the different species of deer all in one place.
With so many of the species spread out over the country, how do you know where exactly to see them though? We have put together a list of National Parks and state areas where various species live and can be seen either. Read on to find out where the top spots to see deer in the US are.
Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming
Not only will you see moose, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer in the Yellowstone National Park, but there’s also a large concentration of other large mammals. It really is a great place to go and see the animals in their natural habitat.
Armed with your camera and backpack, be sure to keep your eye out for the large moose or abundant elk deer while roaming the backcountry. Be sure to look out for grizzly bears while you are at it, and follow the stipulated safety rules should you have an encounter with any of the wildlife.
Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado
This beautiful mountain range has elk and deer to watch and can be exciting during the rutting season where the elk spar with their antlers. Don’t approach deer generally as they can be dangerous, especially when they are in mating season. Stay a safe distance away and watch these beautiful creatures roam in their natural habitat.
The national park also has some critically endangered animals such as the North America wolverine and the Canada lynx. If you see these animals, let them be and enjoy the rare sighting. Also, don’t broadcast their location on social media so that they don’t become a tourist hotspot attraction.
Denali National Park – Alaska
Denali is home to North America’s highest peak – Mount Denali. This vast wilderness area is also home to caribou and moose – aptly named as two of the park’s very own big five species. They are easily spottable within the park grounds, and you are pretty much guaranteed to see them on any given day that you visit.
Of course, that means you are likely to see the predators too! Wolves and grizzly bears can be seen in the rugged wilderness area that is renowned for its sightings.
You’ll be able to get up close and personal to the big five either hiking, cycling, snowmobiling, mushing or even flightseeing. With so many activities to do, the park really is an interesting place to go.
Georgia State
The state of Georgia has a pretty healthy deer population – namely the white-tailed deer. They live in the many wildlife refuges, national parks and rural areas across the state. The white-tailed deer has in actual fact, recently been named as the official state mammal of Georgia – a prestigious award indeed.
These deer roam freely, so if you have a plot of land that they roam close to, then you might consider setting up a deer feeder somewhere on the perimeter. This will allow you to get close to the deer – you can even set up a trail camera to watch them eat. A deer feeders buying guide website will point you in the right direction of exactly which feeder to buy so you can get up close and personal.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Dakota
This National Park is home to elk, white-tailed deer, and mule deer. Originally a hunting area frequented by the US president, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park is now a large conservation area home to a number of interesting species.
In addition to the deer, there is a large bison population, as well as mustang herds. When the park was established in the 1940s many of the species now present in it did not exist. Today it stands as a conservation area to the various mammal populations who have now been returned to the wild.
No matter where you enjoy the wildlife, follow the area/park guidelines and use good conservation practices. Pick up your litter, respect the animals and don’t avoid making fires. With your help, we can enjoy the splendor of our deer herds for generations to come.
