Herd Density and Physical Condition of White-Tailed Deer in Florida Flatwoods

Abstract

Physiological indices of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from flatwood habitats in northwestern Florida may not be sensitive to changes in population density. Consequently, we collected biological data from white-tailed deer harvested from a pine flatwood study site in northwestern Florida from 1980 to 1989 to evaluate relationships between herd density and physiological indices. Deer density estimates declined (P<0.0001) during the study period; however, no differences were observed among years between whole mass (P=0.68), antler beam length (P=0.84), or number of antler points (P=0.78) of yearling bucks. Density estimates decreased by approximately 75%, but improvements in deer physiological indices were not observed. It appeared that herd reduction did little to improve nutritional plane. Physiological indices of deer were insensitive to changes in density documented in this study and their use in population management on poor quality habitats may be limited