Obviously, when the word deer is mentioned, most of us think of whitetails, since they are the most predominant deer species in North America. But over the past few decades there has been another deer that has received a lot of attention by hunters, biologists and wildlife viewers.
The Sika deer is a nonnative species and is not related to our Sika black tails of the northwest and Alaska. The Sika’s I’m referring to are actually more closely related to our native elk. They are not native to North America but originate in Japan, Taiwan and eastern Asia. Captive Sika’s have been reported in 34 states in the U.S. with wild populations found in Texas, Virginia and Maryland’s eastern shore.
It has been reported that Clement Henry, an eastern shore resident, released five or six Sika deer in 1916 on James Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Then in the 1920′s, some of the Henry stock was released onto Assateague Island.
Over the years, the deer have moved onto the mainland of Maryland, taking up home in the marshes and wetlands of the lower eastern shore. Today, Sika deer inhabit Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset and Worchester counties of Maryland with the highest concentrations in southern Dorchester County.
The Sika males are called stags and females referred to as hinds. Both of which are very vocal, especially during the rut. The Sika is more closely related to our native elk then whitetails, therefore they are one of the most vocal of all the deer species. During the fall and early winter breeding period, stags can be heard bugling across the marsh, with most of this occurring early in the morning and at dusk. Hinds also vocalize using soft bleats and whistles to communicate with other females and their young.
They differ from whitetails in appearance in size and color. Adult Sikas will stand about 2
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