Photo: Johann-Nikolaus Andreae, CC By-SA 2.0
White-tailed deer are the only native deer in Illinois. Older white-tailed deer fawns are sometimes mistaken for non-native deer since they still have their white spots but are adult size.
Fallow deer are native to Europe. They are medium-sized, rust-colored deer with white undersides, rump patch, and side spots. The coat color can vary from rust to tan and even black or white. Adult males have large, palmate antlers. Fallow deer stand 3 feet at the shoulder. Adult males weigh approximately 190 pounds, and adult females weigh approximately 90 pounds.
Sika deer are native to Japan. They are small, reddish-brown deer with white spots. They weigh approximately 100 pounds and stand 2.5 feet at the shoulder. Males typically have a dark mane on their neck.
Fallow deer and Sika deer are not native to Illinois. Neither species is protected in the state.
If you have seen a non-native deer roaming free in Illinois, please submit a sighting report to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Photo: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
The Wildlife Illinois website was authorized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in partial fulfillment of project W-147-T. The website was developed by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, 2wav, and the IDNR in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services and University of Illinois Extension to provide research-based information about how to coexist with Illinois wildlife.
