The white-tailed deer is the most common deer in West Virginia and has an amazing ability to survive. Deer are primarily browsing animals, eating shrubs and trees, but they also graze in fields. They see only in black and white but have good eyesight, a sharp sense of smell, and excellent hearing. Deer use four sets of glands on their faces and legs to rub scent onto plants or the ground. This strong odor helps them communicate and follow one another.

Male deer (bucks) grow new antlers every year, from April to September. Once fully grown, they rub off the velvety covering. The number of points depends mostly on their nutrition and age.

Their breeding season (rut) is in the fall, peaking in November. Females give birth to one or two spotted fawns between May and July. Fawns can walk within a few hours and are independent by late September.

By 1910, hunting had reduced the population to just about 1,000 deer in the whole state. Thanks to hunting laws and conservation efforts, white-tailed deer are now found in every county. In many areas, they are so numerous that wildlife managers adjust hunting seasons to control the population and limit damage to farms.