Columbia Black-tailed deer are a subspecies of the larger mule deer and are very common in Metchosin. They thrive on the edge of the forest where they find the underbrush and grasslands they prefer as food while also providing the hiding spots and cover they need. They are most active at dawn and dusk. They can be seen in ditches, roadsides and even crossing roads so always keep your eyes open for them while driving. Please remember that does will leave their babies for a few hours at a time when they are young so if you see fawns on their own don't just assume they have been abandoned. Keep an eye on them for a day to make sure their moms don't come back before calling a wildlife rescue like Wild ARC. Their cousins the Roosevelt elk are also seen sporadically in Metchosin.

Background image by Larry Moss