Negative operant conditioning fails to deter white-tailed deer foraging activity

Abstract

We hypothesized that free-ranging white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) could be conditioned to associate an audible sound cue (electronic metronome) with a negative stimulus (electric shock) as a means of damage control. Three plots with two feed stations each, were established in a pasture. Feed stations consisted of plastic trays with electric fence wire attached to the top creating grids, mounted on boxes housing an electric fence charger and an electronic metronome. Infrared game monitors were also utilized to monitor deer activity at each feeder. Consumption rate of corn (2.27 kg/day) and deer activity were recorded daily. The experiment consisted of alternating 5-day periods where the wire grid was electrified and the metronome activated in one feed station at each plot (EM), followed by periods where only the metronome remained functional (M) for a total of three replicates. During EM periods, corn consumption decreased ( P<0.001) to virtually zero. During M periods, corn consumption decreased ( P<0.01) by about 30% at treatment feeders compared to controls. Deer activity was similar during all treatment periods. Results of this experiment indicate the conditioning treatment had limited effectiveness using this experimental protocol.