Did you know the Whitetail Deer is the state mammal of Nebraska?  Chalco Hills is home to a large population of whitetail deer!  As you continue your hike, keep your eyes peeled for one of these woodland residents.  A male whitetail deer is often referred to as a buck and they are easily identified by their antlers that grow each spring and drop off in winter.  During late summer, bucks will begin to rub off the velvet that covers their antlers on a small tree.  In early fall, bucks will again use this process to mark their territory both visually and with their scent.  The links below give further information on our state mammal and what exactly a buck rub signifies.

https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/whitetaileddeer.htm

http://www.sos.ne.gov/symbols/mammal.html

https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/deer/learning-from-a-buck-rub

https://www.realtree.com/deer-hunting/galleries/a-detailed-look-at-whitetail-buck-rubbing-behavior

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