Use of Paint for Marking Deer Pellet Groups

Abstract

Four types of markings using three types of paint were tested to find a satisfactory agent applicable to deer pellet groups to identify those present at the beginning of a pellet-group count period. Percentages of pellet groups with marking visible after 101/2 months of natural weathering at an elevation of 7,300 ft near Fort Collins, Colorado, were as follows: eight or nine white limestone fragments placed in the center of pellet groups and sprayed with yellow traffic-striping paint, 96 percent; traffic-striping paint, 78 percent; industrial paint, 14 to 73 percent depending on color; implement enamel, 71 percent. Yellow was the most visible color tested, red second, orange third, and white fourth. The main factors in the deterioration of markings were high summer temperatures and the age of pellets at the time they were marked. When pellet-group counts are used for censusing deer, old pellet groups in an area may be removed or marked to assure identification of new pellets. Removal of old pellets from pellet-group sampling plots, although a widely used technique, can be laborious and time-consuming. Hart (1958) found that much time and effort could be saved by using paint to identify pellet groups present at the beginning of a pelletgroup count period. Because pellet groups are usually counted and marked at annual intervals, a marking agent must remain visible for at least 1 year. Otherwise, some of the groups that have lost their identifying marks may be counted as recent groups, resulting in an exaggerated deer population estimate. Hart (1958) found that pellet groups retained yellow traffic-striping paint for 1 year and often up to 3 years in the Black Hills of South Dakota, but gave no indication of the proportion of pellet groups which retained paint at the end of these periods. The purpose of this study was to test paints further in an effort to find a durable and conspicuous pellet-group marking agent which can be readily identified 1 year later. The study was conducted at Colorado 1 Present address: Colorado Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Fort Collins. 592 State University as part of a Master of Science program under Dr. Harold W. Steinhoff, Professor of Wildlife Biology.