They are absent, in most part, from the drier regions of the west but when present they inhabit the stream bottoms.
Whitetail deer have a home range, usually one square mile.
Though bucks extend beyond that during the rutting season searching far and wide for receptive does. This however is not to be confused as a migration but a seasonal expansion of range. However by 1870, lumbermen had invaded much of the forests creating a diverse variety of underbrush and saplings. Excellent food and habitat for whitetail deer. This event caused deer to move to these areas in large numbers.