Bedsite Selection by White-Tailed Deer Fawns in Iowa

Abstract

Bedsites (N = 100) selected by radio-marked white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns aged 2-12 weeks were studied in southcentral Iowa during 1980-82. Percentage cover and mean height of individual plant species, percentage canopy cover of trees, and plant density were measured at bedsites and in surrounding areas. Other measurements included ambient, bedsite, and surrounding area temperatures and aspect. Bedsites did not differ (P > 0.05) from surrounding areas in plant species composition, but there were differences (P 0.05) with fawn age. Bedsites contained more woody cover and less short and medium herbaceous cover than surrounding areas. Although bedsite vegetation was denser than that found in surrounding areas, ambient temperature seemingly influenced the fawns' selection of relative plant density and aspect at bedsites. On relatively cool days fawn bedsites were found more often on slopes facing the sun in relatively open habitat. In contrast, on relatively warm days fawn bedsites were found more often on slopes facing away from the sun in dense habitat. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 50(3):474-480 The complex behavioral relations between (Lent 1974:22) ungulate mothers and their offspring represent one of the most intricate strategies for infant protection from predation. Success of the hiding strategy depends on coordinated behavior between infant and dam. The infant must choose appropriate resting sites and activity patterns; dams must allow the infant to move away, remember the infant's location, and remain a desirable distance away (Byers and Byers 1983). We have determined that white-tailed deer fawns 512 weeks of age spend about 80% of their time _ 100 m from their dam chiefly resting at bedsites (C. N. Huegel, R. B. Dahlgren, and H. L. Gladfelter, unpubl. data). Thus, bedsite selection likely is important in determining a fawn's vulnerability to visually searching pr dators such as coyotes (Canis latrans) (Wells and Lehner 1978). Factors associated with fawn bedsite choice have not been studied well. General habitat type surrounding the bedsite (i.e., woodland, pasture, etc.) is influenced by interactions with the dam. However, in studies of various hider-type ungulates (Walther 1964, 1965; Bubenik 1965; Schaller 1967; Espmark 1969; McCullough 1969; Jungius 1970; White et al. 1972; Autenrieth and Fichter 1975), it has been determined that the actual bedsite is chosen by the fawn. Our objective was to determine the selectivity of bedsite locations by white-tailed deer fawns and to describe vegetative and physical factors associated with any selection. We thank B. A. Fistler, V. A. Huegel, S. Johnson, J. A. Layton, and M. K. Olson for field assistance and numerous individuals who searched for fawns. This research was support'Present address: Department of Forestry, 205 Thomas Poe Cooper Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0073. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.181 on Thu, 29 Sep 2016 05:56:58 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms J. Wildl. Manage. 50(3):1986 FAWN BEDSITE SELECTION * Huegel et al. 475 ed by the Iowa Conserv. Comm. (Fed. Aid Wildl. Restor. Fund, Proj. W-115-R) through the Iowa Coop. Fish and Wildl. Res. Unit (U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Iowa Conserv. Comm., Iowa State Univ., and Wildl. Manage. Inst., cooperating). This is J. Pap. J-11678 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, Proj. 2404.