Ask The Biologist

Question: I saw a piebald buck last year, however I did not get a shot at him. This year I got him with my crossbow. My question is, how likely is it that I will ever see another piebald deer on my property? — Ronnie Plumlee

Answer:  Piebald deer are certainly a curiosity, and we get a lot of questions about them. This aberrant coloration is the result of a genetic mutation, a recessive gene expressing itself. Because it is abnormal and recessive, the likelihood of a deer exhibiting this pelage is rare. However, because it is genetic, it can be passed on to future generations. The fact you have already seen one piebald in your area increases the chances of seeing another.