Abstract
Few studies have documented fine-scale movements of ungulate species, including white-tailed deer(Odocoileus virginianus), despite the advent of global positioning system (GPS) technology incorporated into tracking devices. We collected fine-scale temporal location estimates (i.e., 15 min/relocation attempt) from 17 female and 15 male white-tailed deer over 7 years and 3 seasons in Oklahoma, USA. Our objectives were to document fine-scale movements of females and males and determine effects of reproductive phase, moon phase, and short-term weather patterns on movements. Female and male movements were primarily crepuscular. Male total daily movements were 20% greater during rut () than postrut (). Female daily movements were greatest during postparturition (), followed by parturition (), and preparturition (). We found moon phase had no effect on daily, nocturnal, and diurnal deer movements and fine-scale temporal weather conditions had an inconsistent influence on deer movement patterns within season. Our data suggest that hourly and daily variation in weather events have minimal impact on movements of white-tailed deer in southern latitudes. Instead, routine crepuscular movements, presumed to maximize thermoregulation and minimize predation risk, appear to be the most important factors influencing movements.
Highlights
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) movement studies have focused on movements of white-tailed deer at varying spatial scales, from large-scale dispersal and migration to small-scale movements within home ranges and habitats [1]
We found moon phase had no effect on daily, nocturnal, and diurnal deer movements and fine-scale temporal weather conditions had an inconsistent influence on deer movement patterns within season
Previous studies documented movements were greatest near sunrise and sunset, parameter estimates of movement distance may differ with frequency of relocations
Summary
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) movement studies have focused on movements of white-tailed deer at varying spatial scales, from large-scale dispersal and migration to small-scale movements within home ranges and habitats [1]. A number of factors influence deer movements including physiology, which includes breeding and parturition, general changes in season and daylength, and environmental influences such as weather. Home range size of females was smaller during parturition subperiods (14 May–14 July) than during spring, possibly because of changes in movement patterns [1]. Studies conducted in both captive [3, 4] and free-ranging populations [5,6,7] have reported similar reductions in female home range size during parturition. Webb et al [1] reported no change in home range size but documented more linear movement patterns. Further information is needed to determine if more linear movements are the result of a general change in movement pattern, without a change in movement distance, or because of increased movement distances
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