Most deer seem to spawn away from the shore and most often travel in pairs. When one is attacked both generally will run away at least a short distance. You can often hear them calling out in the distance with a bugling sound. Deer visually have both light and dark fur coloring. Also female deer lack the large antlers of their male counterparts and have slightly less health(-10%).
Upon death they have a chance of dropping deer meat, leather hide, sinew and strong sinew.