The first day of autumn is a little over two weeks away. Wildlife sat out the hot and humid conditions of August by taking refuge within the cooler understory which was shaded by a canopy of leaves afforded by tall trees.

Waiting out the heat, that’s what wildlife does this time of year. However change is on the way, and it’s not that far off. One sure sign is that deer are beginning to show their fall and winter colors. This is especially true when it comes to the white-tailed deer. Right now deer are shedding their summer coats only to be replaced with their winter ones that will keep them warm as temperatures begin to cool down.

Adult deer shed their coats, or being technically correct, molt. This occurs in the spring and late summer and into fall.

The summer or “red” coat has more hair per square inch than the “blue” winter coat. On average the summer coat contains approximately 5,176 hairs per square inch. By comparison, the winter coat surprisingly is made up of approximately 2,662 hairs per square inch.

The summer coat has individual hairs that are solid, short, and straight. By design the dense layer of hair provides a layer of protection from the insects.

The winter coat accounts for less individual hairs, however they are much heavier and hollow providing great insulation properties. As an added layer of protection, layers of fine guard hairs add to a thermal barrier from the cold.

Over the past several weeks I’ve observed a number of deer that have been making the change. Not all deer molt at the same time. Adults are first, and those in the best of health lead the way in making the change as they step into their unique fall coloration.

And speaking of deer hair, check this one out when handling a deer after the harvest. Examine the hair on the brisket or chest area. Hairs in this location point forward while all other hair grows downward to the rear.

And how about those fawns! At birth a fawn’s coat is reddish brown in color. The young deer is also blotched with white spots. The two rows of spots, a row on either side of the spine running from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, contain approximately 60 to 80 spots. An additional 100 spots will be randomly found on either side of its body.

The hairs that show white however are white down to the root. Over time, and as the fawn goes about its daily life, the white simply fades away. The spots completely disappear when the fawn goes into its first molt prior to winter.

Whitetails wear their winter coats longer. In general, the summer coat is worn for about four months.

Color phases of deer provide a topic of conversation wherever they are found.

The most common is what most of us observe at any given time which are deer that are brown in appearance. However when a deer of a different color shows up in a given area, it sure sparks lively discussions. Of the various color phases of white-tailed deer, albino, piebald, and even a form of black phase, may be found.

The albino or albinism deer is when the animal exhibits white hair, grayish colored hooves, pink eyes and nose. It is estimated that albino deer number about one in one-thousand. Research has shown that the coloration is triggered by an undesirable or “bad” gene.

Studies regarding a white deer have been given in-depth review. A study was conducted by the New York Department of Conservation beginning in 1996 until 1981. The research was designed to determine the genetic characteristics of the white deer. The study was conducted at the Seneca Army Depot in NY. Research revealed that partially white coat anomalies are relatively common in white-tailed deer populations.

Another interesting finding was that antler development of white deer varies from “typical” to palmated. Also the brow tine is “usually missing”. White deer appear to have a “shorter” skeleton.

White deer are just that, deer with white hair, brown eyes, and brown nose, with normal hoof coloration.

White-tailed deer identified as piebald are unique. Deer in this color phase are spotted or blotched with white and brown colored hair.

Generally deer in the piebald category stand out in a crowd or alone. And their numbers are not that uncommon.

Some link this color phase to genetics while others speculated the coloration is simply abnormal. Deer that fit into this category exhibit antlers that are less developed, have a high ridge nose or Roman nose appearance. Their skeletons are often flawed.     

The rarest color phase among white-tailed deer is the black phase. Little has been done to research this color phase of deer.  

Summer has blended into fall and deer are shedding their summer coats in preparation for winter. As the transformation continues, there is the possibly you may observe a deer of a different color. And if you do, savor the moment, and take in what nature has provided. It’s a snapshot in time you’ll never forget.       

Charlie Burchfield is an active member and past president of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, an active member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Assoc. of America and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers. Gateway Outdoors e-mail is GWOutdoors@comcast.net