Food Habits Of Deer Research Articles

Long‐term changes in food habits of deer and habitat vegetation: 25‐year monitoring on a small island

AbstractHow vegetation change caused by ungulates affects other ungulate species has been well studied, yet how grazing the vegetation of the habitat affects a species own food habits is not known. Long‐term studies on the effects of sika deer (Cervus nippon) on vegetation have been performed, but not in the context of the species own food habits. I monitored grassland vegetation and deer food habits on an island in northern Japan for 25 years from 1975 to 2000. During the first decade, deer grazing caused the replacement of Miscanthus sinensis tussocks by a Zoysia japonica sward. Deer diets in 1976 were composed of equal proportions of M. sinensis, Pleioblastus chino, and Z. japonica, but after the 1980s, Z. japonica became their major food source. This is because of the high productivity of Z. japonica afforded by its morphology and physiology, as well as by the warm and humid summer climate of the Japanese archipelago. Although the vegetational changes were gradual, changes in the deer food habits were abrupt and the compositions were predominated by Z. japonica after the first decade. This study showed that an ungulate changed its own diet because of its effect on the vegetation by grazing, and that the changes in vegetation and deer diet were not synchronized over a 25‐year monitoring period.

Altitudinal variation in sika deer food habits on Mt. Miune, Shikoku, Japan

Altitudinal variation in sika deer food habits on Mt. Miune, Shikoku, Japan

Food habits of adult male white‐tailed deer determined by camera collars

ABSTRACTMany factors influence what and why animals select the foods they eat. Several methods have been used to estimate food habits of herbivores, but they all have limitations such as defining available foods and misrepresenting particular forages. We evaluated plant consumption by adult male white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with camera collars in a semi‐enclosed population in southern Texas, USA, during late autumn 2010. We collected 1,241 videos taken at all times of the day and night from 15 camera collars and confirmed consumption of 40 plant species with an 84% probability of identification. Diets of individual deer varied considerably, though there was an apparent preference for prickly‐pear cactus (Opuntia engelmannii) and blackbrush acacia (Vachellia rigidula). Our results were consistent with other conventional studies of food habits of deer in the region. Yet, we feel camera collars provide a more thorough and detailed representation of forage species available and consumed. Strategic deployments of camera collars could advance the understanding of nutritional requirements and behavior of deer because a broad array of concurrent data can be collected. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Female White-Tailed Deer Body Condition and Diet After a Large Spring Wildfire

Abstract Frequency of large rangeland wildfires may increase in the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico as a result of exotic grass invasion and reduced emphasis on livestock production, but effects of such fires on white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) are poorly documented. A large wildfire burned s 90% of the 6 151-ha Chaparral Wildlife Management Area in southern Texas during March 2008, creating an opportunity to study short-term effects of wildfire on white-tailed deer food habits, body condition, and pregnancy. We harvested 26 female deer between 7 April and 20 June 2008 and recorded dressed body weight, body condition, number of corpora lutea, and number and size of fetuses. We used rumen contents to quantify forage classes consumed. Deer ate prickly pear ( Opuntia engelmannii ) pads and emergent grasses during April and shifted to forbs and browse as vegetation communities recovered. Deer consumed mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ) beans and prickly pear fruit during mid-June. Body condition measures did not vary during the collection period, suggesting deer were able to acquire sufficient nutrients to meet requirements. Fetal development rate appeared normal. Precipitation (11.4 cm) during late April and May probably allowed vegetation to recover from the wildfire. White-tailed deer are resilient opportunists and were able to maintain body condition and pregnancy after a large-scale wildfire.

Chinese Privet and the Feeding Ecology of White-Tailed Deer: The Role of an Exotic Plant

Exotic plants and overabundant wildlife are apparent indicators of disturbed habitats, yet few studies have investigated their interactions. Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) is an abundant, exotic shrub in the southeastern United States, yet little is known about its forage value to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) e quantified the seasonal importance of privet browse and fruit in the food habits of deer at Chickamauga Battlefield Park (CBP) in Georgia, and we determined seasonal cycles in crude protein (CP) content from privet browse. Analyses of rumen samples from 146 deer collected during 32 consecutive months (1992-94) revealed total privet (browse and fruit) averaged 11.1% of rumen volume during fall and 13.3% during winter. Fall consumption of privet browse increased almost 2 times, and privet fruit consumption >20 times in a fall of low acorn consumption. Winter browse surveys conducted in February for 2 years revealed privet browse composed >50% of available browse and >75% of browse used. Privet browse maintained a CP content >12% in all months. These results suggest privet is an important component of the fall and winter diets of CBP deer and may serve as a nutritional buffer during years of acorn scarcity. The value of privet as a deer forage must be weighed against the threat it poses to biodiversity conservation.

White-tailed deer food habits in northeastern Mexico

Microhistological analysis of feces was used to estimate the selection of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus, Tex.) in the state of Nuevo Leon in northeastern Mexico. Browse was the main component of deer diets (94% annual mean). Major species were blackbrush acacia ( Acacia rigidula Benth), guajillo ( Acacia berlandieri Benth) soapbrush ( Porlieria angustifolia Englem), cenizo ( Leucophyllum texanus Benth), huisache ( Acacia farnesiana L), popotillo ( Ephedra aspera Englem), palo verde ( Cercidium macrum I.M. Johnst) and honey mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa Torr). These species represented about 82% the total plant composition of deer diets on an annual basis. Forbs were numerous (23 species in deer diets), but represented only about 5% of the total annual diet. Major forbs in deer diets were Hibiscus spp., Zephyranthes arenicola Hansel, Agrythamnia neomexicana Muell and Dyssodia acerosa DC. Grasses were selected by deer in very low amounts; buffelgrass ( Cenchrus ciliaris L.) was the major grass in the annual diets of deer. Because of the nature of deer diets, it is concluded that browse should be considered an important part of the deer habitat, and that those shrub species that are used by deer for food and refuge should be preserved.

Influence of Sewage Sludge Fertilization on Food Habits of Deer in Western Washington

La fertilisation de 40 ha de la Pack Forest par des boues d'epandage a entraine une augmentation de la teneur en proteines brutes du fourrage consomme par Odocoileus hemionus et une augmentation du succes reproducteur. Cette methode pose quelques problemes que l'on tente de resoudre

White-Tailed Deer Food Habits and Nutritional Status as Affected by Grazing and Deer-Harvest Management

White-Tailed Deer Food Habits and Nutritional Status as Affected by Grazing and Deer-Harvest Management

An Improved Methodology of Rumen Content Analysis for White-Tailed Deer

Any investigation into the complex relationships between deer and their habitats is influenced by the availability of the techniques, time, and money. Investigators prefer the quickest and simplest technique that will provide reliable information at a reasonable cost. We propose such a system. Rumen samples of 1,028 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were collected from 7 regions in Pennsylvania during 4 seasons beginning in spring 1970. The method of analysis (1) enabled the investigators to process from 80 to 100 samples per day; (2) did not require expensive equipment; and (3) was uncomplicated. The laboratory technique is outlined and a data format by major food type is recommended. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 42(2):397-403 A variety of techniques has been used to determine the food habits of deer. For example, considerable effort has been expended in browse surveys to determine the production and utilization of twigs by deer in the eastern United States (Moore et al. 1960, Ripley and Campbell 1960, Moore and Manney 1962, McGinnes and Ripley 1963, Ripley and McClure 1963, Patton and McGinnes 1964, Stiteler and Schrauder 1964, and Moore and Strode 1966, to mention a few). These surveys are useful in determining the availability and use of certain foods at specific locations and in monitoring habitat changes following manipulation. However, these browse surveys considered only one type of food and made no attempt to determine seasonal use. Investigators using deer that are led on a leash and harness can observe foods selected or rejected by deer as well as estimate the quantity of foods consumed. It is difficult and expensive, however, to maintain adequate numbers of tractable animals (Watts 1964) and pen feeding may affect the deer's selectivity in the field. Ward (1970) presented a thorough summary of information on fecal analysis. The principle advantages of this technique are that samples are available during all seasons and in all habitat types, and the animal does not have to be sacrificed. However, the time required to prepare the samples for analysis, the difficulty in identifying certain foods such as fleshy fruits, and complications in interpreting the results quantitatively have limited the use of this technique in studying the food habits of deer, particularly in vegetatively diverse areas. Anthony and Smith (1974) pointed out that, Fecal analysis should prove to be a useful technique for studying diets of ungulates ... when studying secretive and/or endangered species when observations and/or collections cannot be carried out. These investigators, using simultaneous fecal and rumen samples from individual deer, found that results from microscopic fecal analysis were similar to those from volumetric rumen analysis for deer in Arizona. Rumen content analysis is the technique we chose for this study. It provided a suitable means of determining the food habits of white-tailed deer over the 45,000 square miles of range in Pennsylvania. We wish to thank Dr. C. T. Cushwa, 1 Present address: Pennsylvania Game Commission, State College 16801. J. Wildl. Manage. 42(2):1978 397 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.176 on Tue, 26 Jul 2016 06:08:21 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 398 RAPID RUMEN CONTENT ANALYSIS *Puglisi et al. USDA Forest Service, who organized and directed much of the Pennsylvania study and the game protectors who assisted in the sample collection. We also thank Dr. G. L. Storm and Dr. R. G. Anthony for their review of the manuscript.

Summer Foods of Deer in Northern Wisconsin

Summer foods of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were studied using rumina from 76 road-killed deer collected between 15 April and 15 November. Aspen (Populus spp.) leaves and grasses were found to comprise more food volume than any other plants. Barren strawberry (Waldsteinia sp.), bush-honeysuckle (Diervilla sp.), lilies (Liliaceae), and acorns (Quercus spp.) were seasonally important contributors to the rumina. Woody browse comprised only 3 percent of the aggregate volume. Most foods eaten were shade-intolerant species which suggested most feeding occurred in open forest types. Forest and habitat management to favor aspen, oaks (Quercus spp.), upland brush, and sodded openings will favor deer forage production. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(2):215-219 Most deer habitat and forage research in the Lakes States has focused on the obvious limitations of winter range. Aldous and Smith's (1938) report on late fall and winter food habits of Minnesota deer constitutes the only major food habits study based on rumen analysis for the area. More recently, limitations in summer deer ranges have become increasingly evident as essentially even-aged forests mature and convert to more tolerant types (McCaffery and Creed 1969:6). Also, increasing concern has been expressed for total nutrition and year-round habitat. We studied the summer food habits of deer in northern Wisconsin to better understand their seasonal dependence on specific foods and forest types. Since deer are selective feeders when a variety of forage is available (Klein 1970), we felt foods eaten by deer would reflect both forage and habitat preferences. We wish to acknowledge F. W. Stearns, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, for supervising the laboratory portion of this study. A note of thanks also goes to those who assisted with the sometimes unpleasant task of extracting samples. METHODS Rumen samples were collected from roadkilled deer between 15 April and 15 November in 1969 and 1970. Four subseasons were used to determine changes in utilization or availability: spring (April-May), early summer (June-July), late summer (August-September), and fall (OctoberNovember). Approximately equal numbers of deer were desired in each subseason. Deer were sampled as they became available in the subseason of interest. Samples were taken in quart (0.946 liter) jars and preserved with 10 percent formalin.

Accuracy of Field Estimates of Deer Food Habits

The minutes method of determining food habits was tested with tame mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) that were simultaneously observed at close range. More use was attributed to shrubs as a class and less use to grasses and forbs than actually occurred. Identifiability of individual species varied with plant size, distance, and observers. Results suggest that the observer must be within 75 feet (23 m) of the deer to identify more than 80 percent of the grazing correctly to species. The feeding method was tested by counting instances of use on a sample of 1-foot2 (30 X 30 cm) plots after the site was grazed by tame deer. Use of shrubs, as a group, was underestimated, grasses overestimated, and forbs underestimated. Error with individual species stemmed largely from improper size and distribution of the feeding-site sample with relation to the distribution of plants and grazing use. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 37(4):556-562 Food habits of wild ungulates are often studied by observing the foods taken as the animals graze, or noting the locations where animals graze and later inspecting the site to see which plants were used. The first of these has been called the minutes or seconds method (Hahn 1945, Buechner 1950) and the second the feeding method (Lovaas 1958). Quantification in the first is in units of time spent grazing on each species, and in the second is in in- stances of use-that is, numbers of plant parts (such as stems) severed by grazing. To determine how much precision is pos- sible with these methods, we compared them with close-range observation of tame mule deer. Quantification was in numbers of bites. Within the limits of the observer's ability to correctly identify plants, it is possible to record kinds of forage used by tame deer essentially without error. With our deer, the observer could approach within inches of the animal's mouth and gently move its head away, if necessary, to see the plants being grazed. Samples of plants that are unidentifiable during grazing can be col- lected for comparison with herbarium speci- mens. We have found the variability be- tween observers in counting bites to be about -1 percent in samples of 1,000 bites. It should be emphasized that none of the three methods provides a direct measure of intake in weight or volume. We have hand- plucked samples of simulated bites to esti- mate weights of forage ingested and have found the results to vary little from relative intake based on bite counts.

Deer Food Habits and Range Characteristics in Ohio

Deer Food Habits and Range Characteristics in Ohio

Comparison of Volumetric and Point-Analysis Procedures to Describe Deer Food Habits

Comparison of Volumetric and Point-Analysis Procedures to Describe Deer Food Habits

Comparative Food Habits of Deer and Three Classes of Livestock

To observe forage competition between deer and livestock, the forage selections of a tame deer (Odocoileus virginianus), a goat, a sheep, and a cow were observed under four range conditions, using both stocked and unstocked experimental pastures, on the Kerr Wildlife Management Area in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas in 1959. The animals were trained in 2 months of preliminary testing. The technique employed consisted of recording the number of bites taken of each plant species by each animal during a 45-minute grazing period in each pasture each week for 1 year. Results indicated moderate to heavy competition for browse and mast between the deer and goat in all pastures during all seasons, and between the deer and all three classes of livestock in the winter. Browse and mast comprised over 50 percent of the deer's diet, except in the spring and summer, and over 50 percent of the goat's diet in all seasons. Following a decrease in available browse, sheep become competitive with deer for forbs. Forbs formed an average of 68 percent of the deer's diet and 65 percent of the sheep's diet in the ungrazed control pasture in the summer; the animals generally were grazing the same species. The added factors of bearing and nursing fawns, and growing antlers, contribute to the nutritional stresses on deer in the summer, the period when extensive die-offs of deer most frequently occur in the Edwards Plateau region. Competition for grass between deer and livestock probably is important only when grass is in a succulent stage in the spring and no other forage is available in quantity. Continuous grazing by animals tends to remove the most palatable species and concentrates competition on fewer, less palatable ones. Observations from the numerous replications of feeding times and places allow the conclusion that this technique provides a reliable index to preferred foods and staple foods. In the Edwards Plateau region of Texas, most of the rangelands are grazed by two or more classes of livestock along with deer. Research on the Kerr Wildlife Management Area, near Hunt, Texas, indicates that deer when managed and harvested properly can provide economic returns comparable to those from domestic livestock. But a study of the economic feasibility of management for livestock and deer in combination revealed the need for more exact knowledge of their competition for forage. To provide such information, a study of the food habits of cattle, sheep, goats, and deer was initiated in May, 1959, and concluded in May, 1960. The Kerr Wildlife Management Area is a research facility of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department located in Kerr County in the eastern portion of the Edwards Plateau. This region, encompassing some 26,000 square miles of central Texas, probably is unique in its combined productivity of deer and livestock in high densities (Hahn 1945, Taylor and Hahn 1947). Previous studies of its vegetation in relation to deer and livestock were reported by Buechner (1944), Taylor and Beuchner (1943), and Whisenhunt (1949). On the Kerr Area, particularly the pastures involved in this study, the prominent vegetal expression is a savannah of live oak, in which Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) and shin oak are conspicuous. Part of the Kerr Wildlife Management Area contains 10, 96-acre deer-proof pastures which are used for a long-term study of the influence of combined sheep, goat, and cattle grazing rates on deer production. Each species of animal obviously has a different influence on the welfare of the others and on the forage resource in general, but the experimental design had revealed only the gross influence of combinations of animals. Performances of deer in experimental pas-

Mule Deer Food Habits and Range Use, Little Belt Mountains, Montana

Mule Deer Food Habits and Range Use, Little Belt Mountains, Montana

Deer Range Appraisal for the Missouri Ozarks

The reduced carrying capacity which results in overbrowsed deer ranges has been well documented in many areas, and the general way in which deer herds overbrowse their food supply is now well understood (Leopold, et al., 1947). But balancing deer herds with their food supply is still a new task in the oak forests of the Ozark region; recognizing overstocked deer ranges here presents some difficulties not generally encountered in northern and western states. In the Ozark region, the growing season is long, frost-free periods average 180 days, and green herbs are available to deer throughout the year. There are no critical winter deer concentration areas like those encountered in northern deer yards or on the winter range of migratory deer. The problem in the Ozarks is to recognize incipient over-populations of deer in the absence of key areas where browse damage is concentrated and striking, and the objective of this investigation was to study deer food habits in order to discover plants which would be sensitive indicators of incipient over-populations. Atwood and Steyermark (1937) made preliminary observations on deer food habits in the Ozark region. Dalke (1941) tallied woody plants commonly browsed in Missouri refuges during winter and suggested six woody species which might be important to winter carrying capacity. Dalke and Spencer (1944) reported on destructive overbrowsing where deer were confined in a private game preserve in southern Taney County, Missouri. Recently, Donaldson, et al. (1951) listed deer food preferences observed on study plots and recorded differences in pounds of herbage produced inside and outside deer exclosures on the Ozark National Forest in Arkansas; Lindzey (1952) reported on food plants browsed on study plots in southeastern Oklahoma; and Korschgen (1952) analyzed the contents of 270 deer stomachs collected in Missouri. These investigators have listed a total of 256 plant species utilized by deer and reported that green herbaceous vegetation was eaten throughout the year. Korschgen found o k mast to be the single most important deer food in Missouri, and the other investigators cited above reported the importance of acorns. This contribution of the acorn to deer diet has also been recognized by investigators in southern states (Ruggles, 1938; Ruff, 1938; Pearson, 1943). None of the nvestigators in the Ozarks, however, suggested deer food plants which could be used as early indicators of overbrowsing.