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PARKS
National Key Deer Refuge
Refuge Manager
P.O. Box 430510
Big Pine Key, Florida 33043
305/872-2239
Click here to view a map of the refuge (30k).
National Key Deer Refuge - For your safety and protection, please do not feed the wildlife.
Nature Trail - located 1.5 miles north of intersection of Key Deer Blvd., and Watson Blvd. The
trail is 2/3 miles long and winds through typical Big Pine Key habitat consisting of slash pine and
palms.
Blue Hole - Located 1.25 miles north of intersection of Key Deer Blvd., and Watson Blvd. This is
an old rock quarry that has fresh water and several alligators in it. Fresh water is vital to the survival of
the Key Deer.
Overnight Camping is prohibited - The refuge is opened during daylight hours only. The Key deer
(Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is a subspecies of the Virginia white-tailed deer. These deer inhabit Big
Pine Key and various surrounding keys. The Key deer is smallest of all white-tailed deer. They are not
found anywhere else in the world.
Due to uncontrolled hunting and habitat destruction, their numbers were estimated less than 50 animals in
1940's. With the establishment of National Key Deer Refuge in 1957 and intensive law enforcement
efforts, the population has since increased and has now stabilized. Present population is 250 to 300 deer
with two-thirds of this population located on Big Pine Key.
The shoulder height of Key deer is between 24-28 inches. Does weight 45-65 pounds while bucks weigh
55 to 75. Rutting season activities begin in September, peaking in early October and decreasing gradually
through November and December. Some breeding may occur as late as February. The gestation period is
204 days with fawns born April through June. At birth fawns weigh 2 to 4 pounds. Antlers are dropped
February through March, and regrowth begins almost immediately so that by June, bucks with 2-inch
stubs are seen. Antler growth is completed by August, and velvet is rubbed and kicked off in early
September.
They feed on native plants such as red, black and white mangroves, thatch palm berries and over 150
other species of plants. Key deer can tolerate small amounts of salt in their water and they will also drink
brackish water, but fresh water is also essential for their survival. They must also have suitable habitat to
ensure their future existence.
No records exist documenting the origin of the deer in the keys. It is believed the deer migrated to the keys
from the mainland many thousands of years ago, across a long land bridge. As the Wisconsin Glacier
melted, the sea rose dividing the land bridge into small islands now known as the Florida Keys.
The earliest mention of Key deer is found in the memoirs of Fontaneda, a shipwrecked Spaniard held
captive by the local Indians. Records suggest that the deer were found around Key West and were used for
food by residents and ship crews alike. Although early records indicated sporadic wider distribution of
Key deer throughout the lower keys, current data indicates they occupy a range from Johnson Keys to
Saddlebunch Keys.
Feeding of Key deer is discouraged for the Following reasons:
(1) Deer that are accustomed to being hand fed lose their natural fear of humans and become easy targets
for would-be poachers.
(2) Public feeding attracts deer to roads and highways where they are killed each year by passing
motorists.
(3) Supplementing the natural diet of the Key deer with the completely unnatural foods used in public
feeding may have adverse effects on the deer's behavior, population and even it's physical
appearance.
(4) Public feeding is usually centered in areas of high human concentrations such as subdivisions. These
developments expose the deer to human-related accidents such as entanglement in wire or other debris,
accidental drowning in canals and harassment and attacks by dogs.
(5) Deer tend to concentrate in large numbers around public feeding areas and are more susceptible to
contagious diseases, fighting or other density related mortalities.
State regulations implemented by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission make feeding Key
deer a misdemeanor offense. Federal law prohibits the feeding of Key deer on the Florida Keys National
Wildlife Refuges.
Please obey the speed limits and be aware as the deer can be moving at all hours of the day or night.
This information was provided by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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