By Ken M. Blomberg

In 1940, a law was enacted to protect albino and white deer in Wisconsin, and to this day, it is illegal to shoot these rare animals.

It is estimated that there are about 1.3 million deer in the state after the fall hunt. According to research biologists, the chances of an albino deer being born are only 1 in 20,000. If so, approximately 6,500 albino and white deer roam the landscape within state borders.

The rare recessive gene that causes white deer is found in the herd in our town. This summer, a local celebrity whitetail doe named “Snowflake” emerged from the woods with two white fawns in tow. There are reports of a second white doe and two fawns nearby, one white and one brown. Snowflake has contributed many offspring over the years.

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