White‐tailed deer fawn survival, home range, and habitat composition in northwest Louisiana

Abstract

ABSTRACTLow fawn recruitment, particularly related to coyote (Canis latrans) predation, has been seen as a potentially important factor limiting growth in white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in the southeastern United States. We quantified fawn survival up to 3 months of age and home range size and habitat composition up to 1 month of age in 2 ecotypes on Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA, during 2009 and 2010. Overall fawn mortality was 50%, which is generally consistent with other studies in the southeast. We observed differences in fawn mortality between different vegetation communities, with 5 of 6 fawns depredated before 30 days on the hardwood‐dominated ecotype and 1 of 6 fawns dying (from apparent internal trauma and subsequent starvation) before 30 days on the pine‐dominated ecotype. Fawns in the hardwood ecotype had larger home ranges and core areas than in the pine ecotype but female home ranges and core areas did not differ by ecotype. Known parturition sites were closer to habitat edges and developed areas than random sites within female home ranges, suggesting females were seeking areas of their home range with greater cover at parturition. Fawn survival, home range, and habitat use varied considerably depending on the ecotype. Provision of additional fawning cover in the form of small openings or timber harvests in areas of mature, closed canopy forest may aid in survival following parturition. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.