Virginia White-Tailed Deer are the mammals most often observed by visitors to Shenandoah National Park. Reintroduced to the park in the 1930s, deer have repopulated many areas. There are several thousand in the park today. They are frequently seen along Skyline Drive and in developed areas such as campgrounds and picnic areas. Spotted fawns, born in May and June, may be seen closely following their mothers. Bucks are growing antlers, which are covered with a thin, velvety skin until the end of summer. During mating season in the fall, bucks may be seen sparring with each other with their antlers. Although it's tempting to get close, please observe deer and all other park wildlife at a distance. There's plenty of natural food in the park for the deer. From spring through summer, they feed on leaves, flowering plants, twigs, buds, and grasses. In autumn, they rely on acorns, leaves, twigs, and wild fruit to help them to build up the energy they'll need to get through winter.