As the days grow longer the hormonal levels
of whitetail deer begin to change. For
the bucks testosterone levels gradually rise.
As a consequence antler growth begins and the gray winter coat with its
thick guard hairs begins to molt. And it
is not at all unusual to find deer hair on the forest floor as a consequence of
this process.
Fluctuating hormone levels twice a year bring-about these seasonal molts and deer alternately grow a
faded gray coat consisting of longer guard hairs and replace it with the
rusty-roan, red-colored coat of summer.
The red heat-reflecting summer coat will only last about three months
before the critter begins to regrow the extra layer of longer, stiffer, hollow
hair over the softer hair closer to the skin.
Until the
transition is complete the local whitetails are going to continue looking a bit
raggedy.
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