The deer mushroom is common in our area and is recognized because it grows on wood with a brownish cap.  It also has white gills which turn pink as it ages.  It grows on either hardwoods or conifers throughout the three seasons, spring through fall.

Even though it is edible and common, it not exactly treasured by mushrooms hunters because it is not real great when cooked.  It is more likely to be picked when nothing else better can be found.

It was not named after deer or because deer eat it.  Its name is derived from its cyctidia which have horns on the ends of them and remind mycologists of antlers.  If you want to verify this for yourself, you'll have to use a microscope to see them.

Warning: There are several mushrooms in this family which are poisonous.  However, they do not grow on wood as does the deer mushroom.