Deer Herds Research Articles

Spatiotemporal variation in the fecal microbiota of mule deer is associated with proximate and future measures of host health

BackgroundMule deer rely on fat and protein stored prior to the winter season as an energy source during the winter months when other food sources are sparse. Since associated microorganisms (‘microbiota’) play a significant role in nutrient metabolism of their hosts, we predicted that variation in the microbiota might be associated with nutrient storage and overwintering in mule deer populations. To test this hypothesis we performed a 16S rRNA marker gene survey of fecal samples from two deer populations in the western United States before and after onset of winter.ResultsPERMANOVA analysis revealed the deer microbiota varied interactively with geography and season. Further, using metadata collected at the time of sampling, we were able to identify different fecal bacterial taxa that could potentially act as bioindicators of mule deer health outcomes. First, we identified the abundance of Collinsella (family: Coriobacteriaceae) reads as a possible predictor of poor overwintering outcomes for deer herds in multiple locations. Second, we showed that reads assigned to the Bacteroides and Mollicutes Order RF39 were both positively correlated with deer protein levels, leading to the idea that these sequences might be useful in predicting mule deer protein storage.ConclusionsThese analyses confirm that variation in the microbiota is associated with season-dependent health outcomes in mule deer, which may have useful implications for herd management strategies.

Lake Michigan insights from island studies: the roles of chipmunks and coyotes in maintaining Ixodes scapularis and Borrelia burgdorferi in the absence of white-tailed deer

Deer management (e.g., reduction) has been proposed as a tool to reduce the acarological risk of Lyme disease. There have been few opportunities to investigate Ixodes scapularis (blacklegged tick) and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto dynamics in the absence of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in midwestern North America. A pair of islands in Lake Michigan presented a unique opportunity to study the role of alternative hosts for the adult stage of the blacklegged tick for maintaining a tick population as a deer herd exists on North Manitou Island but not on South Manitou Island, where coyotes (Canis latrans) and hares (Lepus americanus) are the dominant medium mammals. Additionally, we were able to investigate the maintenance of I. scapularis and B. burgdorferi in small mammal communities on both islands, which were dominated by eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). From 2011 to 2015, we surveyed both islands for blacklegged ticks by drag cloth sampling, bird mist netting, and small and medium-sized mammal trapping. We assayed questing ticks, on-host ticks, and mammal biopsies for the Lyme disease pathogen, B. burgdorferi. We detected all three life stages of the blacklegged tick on both islands. Of the medium mammals sampled, no snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus, 0/23) were parasitized by adult blacklegged ticks, but 2/2 coyotes (Canis latrans) sampled on South Manitou Island in 2014 were parasitized by adult blacklegged ticks, suggesting that coyotes played a role in maintaining the tick population in the absence of deer. We also detected I. scapularis ticks on passerine birds from both islands, providing support that birds contribute to maintaining as well as introducing blacklegged ticks and B. burgdorferi to the islands. We observed higher questing adult and nymphal tick densities, and higher B. burgdorferi infection prevalence in small mammals and in adult ticks on the island with deer as compared to the deer-free island. On the islands, we also found that 25% more chipmunks were tick-infested than mice, fed more larvae and nymphs relative to their proportional abundance compared to mice, and thus may play a larger role compared to mice in the maintenance of B. burgdorferi. Our investigation demonstrated that alternative hosts could maintain a local population of blacklegged ticks and an enzootic cycle of the Lyme disease bacterium in the absence of white-tailed deer. Thus, alternative adult blacklegged tick hosts should be considered when investigating deer-targeted management tools for reducing tick-borne disease risk, especially when the alternative host community may be abundant and diverse.

Ecological half-life of radiocesium in white-tailed deer on the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site: What can a half century of field monitoring tell us?

This paper estimates the 137Cs ecological half-life of white-tailed deer inhabiting the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) based on sex and age using data collected over a 51-year time-period. With a physical half-life of 30.2 yr, the biological half-life for the deer herd is considerably shorter because of the isotope's biochemical mimicry of K+ inside the body. Leveraging this long-term dataset and robust sample size, we compared the long-term half-century estimates to shorter decadal increments. The simple exponential decay model for the entire 51-year sampling period predicted an ecological half-life of 23.15 years. When breaking the sample data into decadal increments 137Cs body burden had complex temporal dynamics with predicted half-lives ranging from 9.25 to 32.33 years. Exponential decay for the entire 51-year sampling period for models evaluated by sex, age, sex*age to determine how these variables influence the predictability in the mean depuration rate, the ecological half-lives were between 21 and 23 years for all permutations, except for fawns that had a half-life no different than the physical half-life of the isotope itself. Differential habitat use and competition most likely explains why both yearling and adult females consistently had higher body burdens than males over the 51-year time period, showing how dynamic this radioisotope is in biological systems. This study is one of the most robust long-term datasets in the world (n = 42,412) that is specifically focused on monitoring the uptake and depuration of 137Cs in a wild species.

Determination of Blood Micromineral and Fat-Soluble Vitamin Values for White-tailed Deer

Abstract The current National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) for trace mineral and vitamin requirements for cervids are based on data collected from various small ruminant species. Lack of baseline requirements make diet formulation for high fenced, white-tailed deer (Odocoileis virginianus) herds particularly ambiguous. This study was to determine a baseline value for whole blood and serum micromineral and vitamin concentrations for white-tailed deer in an attempt to establish dietary requirements of trace minerals and vitamins. Open does (n = 226) were sampled using jugular venipuncture during fall breeding procedures. Captive-raised does housed at various high fenced ranches (n = 3) throughout Texas were used, each with unique management strategies. Blood samples were analyzed for micromineral levels (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn) and fat-soluble metabolites (vitamin A, vitamin E, and cholesterol). Age of the doe and ranch were used as main effects using the GLM procedure in. Sampled averages across all ranches were 6.26 ng/mL of Co, 1.05 µg/mL of Cu, 219.47 µg/mL of Fe, 4.40 ng/mL of Mn, 4.23 ng/mL of Mo, 172.32 ng/mL of Se, 0.54 µg/mL of Zn, 286.76 ng/mL of vitamin A, 1.80 µg/mL of vitamin E, and 79.27 of cholesterol. Micronutrient levels were not affected by age; however, least squared differences existed between the main effect ranch for Co (P < 0.01), Cu (P < 0.01), Fe (P < 0.01), Mo (P < 0.01), Mn (P < 0.01), Se (P < 0.01), Zn (P < 0.01), vitamin E (P < 0.01), and cholesterol (P = 0.038) in serum. There was an observed interaction of age and ranch for vitamin A (P = 0.038). Factors such as feed, forage, soil, genetics, and health management protocols could explain the broad range in values. The establishment of circulating blood micronutrient levels will serve as a baseline for future white-tailed deer nutrient requirement research and feed formulation.

Inferring Chronic Wasting Disease Incidence from Prevalence Data.

Incidence of chronic wasting disease infection showed strong, positive correlation (r≥0.944) with apparent prevalence among female and male mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in seven herds previously studied in Colorado and Wyoming, US. With attention to monitoring method consistency and context, inferring that observed prevalence trends reflect underlying epidemic dynamics in mule deer herds appears justifiable.

Anthrax cattle burials as a potential threat caused by changes in cryolite zones in the northern European part of Russia

Over recent years there have been registered anthrax cases among animals and people in Russia. Anthrax cattle burials remain a basic risk factor that causes epizootic deterioration. A lot of such burials do not correspond to sanitary-epidemiologic requirements especially those located in zones where long-term frozen rocks are now being developed in the northern European part of the country. Our research goal was to examine a situation with anthrax cattle burials in the chosen regions, especially bearing in mind climatic changes and changes in cryolite zones as well as to assess future prospects regarding them. It is especially vital for native people who live in tundra and breed their numerous deer herds there. To achieve the goal, several tasks were accomplished. First, we performed preliminary analysis of anthrax cattle burials distribution in the northern European part of the country and places that were unfavorable as per anthrax. Then, locations of such zones were compared with available data on contemporary development of the cryolite zone in the northern European part of the country. It was necessary to assess future changes in the cryolite zone and describe occurring problems related to anthrax cattle burials being widely spread there as well as to suggest possible ways to solve them. Over the last 50 years considerable spots in the cryolite zone have thawed through completely or partially, especially in an area close to the south border of frozen earth. It is important to know an actual situation with anthrax cattle burials given changing climatic conditions and to assess their future prospects. In order to prevent emergencies in zones where geocryological processes have been activated it is necessary to measure temperature on anthrax cattle burials territories, to assess geocryological threats, to create mathematical models for probable negative events occurrence, as well as to accomplish certain anti-epidemic, anti-epizootic, and preventive activities.

Сибиреязвенные захоронения – потенциальная угроза при изменении криолитозоны европейского севера России

Over recent years there have been registered anthrax cases among animals and people in Russia. Anthrax cattle burials remain a basic risk factor that causes epizootic deterioration. A lot of such burials do not correspond to sanitary-epidemiologic requirements especially those located in zones where long-term frozen rocks are now being developed in the northern European part of the country. Our research goal was to examine a situation with anthrax cattle burials in the chosen regions, especially bearing in mind climatic changes and changes in cryolite zones as well as to assess future prospects regarding them. It is especially vital for native people who live in tundra and breed their numerous deer herds there. To achieve the goal, several tasks were accomplished. First, we performed preliminary analysis of anthrax cattle burials distribution in the northern European part of the country and places that were unfavorable as per anthrax. Then, locations of such zones were compared with available data on contemporary development of the cryolite zone in the northern European part of the country. It was necessary to assess future changes in the cryolite zone and describe occurring problems related to anthrax cattle burials being widely spread there as well as to suggest possible ways to solve them. Over the last 50 years considerable spots in the cryolite zone have thawed through completely or partially, especially in an area close to the south border of frozen earth. It is important to know an actual situation with anthrax cattle burials given changing climatic conditions and to assess their future prospects. In order to prevent emergencies in zones where geocryological processes have been activated it is necessary to measure temperature on anthrax cattle burials territories, to assess geocryological threats, to create mathematical models for probable negative events occurrence, as well as to accomplish certain anti-epidemic, anti-epizootic, and preventive activities.

Importance—Satisfaction Analysis of Deer Management Cooperative Members

ABSTRACTOur study explored the utility of using Importance‐Satisfaction Analysis (ISA) to identify critical attributes to deer management cooperative (DMC) member satisfaction. With white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus) management by landowners becoming an increasingly popular conservation tool, DMCs represent an approach by private landowners and hunters to collaboratively improve deer herds and hunting quality. Deer management cooperatives are a group of landowners and hunters voluntarily working together to improve the quality of wildlife, habitat, and hunting experiences on their collective acreage. Deer management cooperatives show promise in providing dual benefits to hunter satisfaction and large‐scale conservation efforts such as increasing habitat connectivity. Heterogeneity of satisfaction for deer hunting is well‐documented and DMC member satisfaction is an important factor in member retention and recruitment. We surveyed 2,817 members of 45 DMCs across five states (Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New York, and Texas) using ISA methodology to better understand their satisfaction with their experience. Hunters’ responses (n = 459) to the 22 attributes measured were segmented by their divergent motivations for DMC membership, resulting in four unique clusters for comparison (Solitude Members, Social Members, Representative Members, and Quality Harvest Members). Our results indicated that motivations for membership influenced importance and satisfaction ratings, further elucidating that multiple types of hunters and members exist within DMC networks. Areas of agreement among the four DMC clusters were the need for Neighbors to follow Quality Deer Management practices, that DMCs are performing well on members Seeing deer and Co‐op members sharing similar harvest goals, and that Preventing crop damage and the Lease value of the DMC property are low priorities. However, there was little agreement in quadrant placement among the four membership clusters for the remaining 17 attributes indicating the importance of DMCs understanding their individual members’ motivations for joining. By retaining satisfied members, DMCs can continue to provide the hunting quality expected as well as the tangential conservation benefits. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.

How do red deer react to increased visitor numbers? A case study on human-deer encounter probability and its effect on cortisol stress responses

The numbers of visitors to greenspaces in the United Kingdom has increased over the last few years as the health benefits of spending time in greenspaces have become better known. This has led to problems for conservation ecologists due to increased numbers of reported human-wildlife encounters. Deer are often found in public spaces and are of particular concern. Previous research suggests elevated levels of stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) in deer is a result of increased human activity. This has been linked to several negative effects on the deer’s health. From a practitioner’s point of view, it is therefore important to implement effective management strategies that are based on scientific evidence to help ensure the welfare of managed deer populations. In an effort to identify the impact of visitor numbers on faecal cortisol concentrations, samples from 2 red deer (Cervus elaphus) herds in Lyme Park (Cheshire), United Kingdom, were collected and analysed. A predictive spatial model was developed based on logistic regression to identify areas within the park of low and high human-deer encounter probability. The faecal cortisol levels were found to be significantly higher on days with a high number of visitors. In addition, landscape features such as buildings and roads increased the probability of human-deer encounters, whereas woodland and scrub decreased the probability. However, human-deer encounter probability changed with distance to the features. By providing local park managers with this scientific data, these findings can directly inform current management efforts to reduce deer stress levels in Lyme Park. In addition, the spatial modelling method has the capacity to be implemented in other parks across the country with minimal cost and effort.

Военная культура в героических сказаниях народов Сибири и Дальнего Востока

The paper studies the military culture of indigenous peoples in heroic epos of the Tungus-Manchurian, Ob-Ugric, and Paleo-Asiatic peoples. The Evenk folklore reflects the period of wars with Changites and Deptygirs. The descriptions of the bogatyrs’ battles with enemies show a special formula condemning the confrontation. High-status characters warn the warriors of their responsibility to the spirits for the destruction. In Chukchi and Koryak folklore, some peoples unite to fight against others for land and deer herds. The heroes protect the community and family honor by following the custom of blood feuds. There are still legends about wars and ancestors’ attempts to make a truce. The main Khanty and Mansi heroic tales are about the military campaigns for matchmaking or blood feuds, fights for deer, and territorial claims, the plots often ending with a peace agreement. Also, the battle could be for deer herds, grazing, prisoners, often resulting in bloodshed. One enemy would be left alive to inform tribesmen about the end of the war. The legends describe peace agreements confirmed by a joint meal. Folklore translates the peaceful life value and condemns war. The relations of Siberian and Far Eastern ethnic groups have been developing for centuries. They share the history of struggle for territories and resources, marriage and trade relations, heroic competitions. Northern ethnic legends tell about the contacts and wars with the nearest neighbors and the importance of peaceful coexistence. The folklore descriptions of military ethics and formulas calling for peace form a culture of inter-ethnic interaction.

Support for deer herd reduction on offshore Islands of Maine, U.S.A

Over the past three decades, citizens of Maine in the northeastern United States have experienced increasing blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) abundance and rising incidence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) overabundance has been considered one cause of the high incidence of tick-borne diseases on offshore islands of New England. Most of Maine’s 15 offshore, unbridged island communities have a history of concern about ticks, Lyme disease, and white-tailed deer overabundance, but have been challenged to keep deer numbers down through hunting or culls. This history has led to perennial, often divisive community debates about whether and how to reduce the size of their deer herds. In 2016 we conducted a convenience sample survey of year-round and summer residents of Maine’s offshore islands to quantify the level of concern about Lyme disease, and assess the motivations and level of support for deer herd reduction. Among respondents, 84 % agreed Lyme disease was a problem on their island and 61 % supported deer herd reduction. Agreement that Lyme disease was a problem was associated with having acquired tick-borne disease as well as with tick bites without disease. Respondents ranked deer overabundance as a top cause of tick abundance and tick-borne disease and supported deer herd reduction as an approach to reduce the risk of Lyme disease. Other problems associated with deer overabundance (vehicle collisions, damage to landscaping, and damage to forests) also motivated support for deer reduction. Approval of doe permits, an expanded archery season, and sharpshooting as reduction methods was greater than an expanded firearms season. Respondents felt responsibility for tick control fell to the town for the most part, and recognized that multiple factors have contributed to the tick problem in Maine, not just deer.

Serological study of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni and L. borgpetersenii serovars Tarassovi and Ballum in beef cattle, sheep and deer in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Aims To estimate animal-level seroprevalence of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni and L. borgpetersenii serovars Ballum and Tarassovi, in beef cattle, sheep and deer on New Zealand farms, and herd/flock-level seroprevalence of any serovar when existing same-sera data for serovars Hardjobovis and Pomona were included, and to determine associations between risk factors and animal-level seroprevalence. Methods Banked sera from sheep (n = 82), beef (n = 54) and deer (n = 62) herds/flocks (n = 3,878 animals) from seven regions were analysed using the microscopic agglutination test. Titres of ≥48 were designated positive. Herds/flocks were considered positive if either ≥1, ≥2 or ≥3 animals were positive. Existing same-sera data for serovars Hardjobovis and Pomona were included to establish farm-level any-serovar seropositivity. Factors associated with serological status were analysed using generalised estimating equations. Results Animal-level seroprevalence for serovars Ballum, Copenhageni, and Tarassovi, respectively, was 13.7 (95% CI = 11.7–16.0)%, 12.6 (95% CI = 10.6–14.7)% and 18.0 (95% CI = 15.7–20.5)% for beef cattle, 10.5 (95% CI = 9.0–12.1)%, 16.7 (95% CI = 14.9–18.6)% and 14.0 (95% CI = 12.4–15.8)% for sheep and 6.6 (95% CI = 5.3–8.2)%, 15.5 (95% CI = 13.5–17.7)% and 3.6 (95% CI = 2.7–4.8)% for deer, respectively. Herd/flock-level seroprevalence for Ballum was 86.6, 52.4 and 39.0% for sheep, 85.2, 52.7 and 33.3% for beef cattle and 50.8, 27.9 and 21.3% for deer at definitions ≥1, ≥2 and ≥3 seropositive animals per species, respectively. For Copenhageni, corresponding data were 95.1, 73.2 and 56.1% for sheep, 68.5, 48.2 and 29.6% for beef cattle and 73.8, 57.4 and 41.0% for deer, and for Tarassovi, 80.5, 59.7 and 45.1% for sheep, 83.3, 68.5 and 61.1% for beef cattle, and 42.6, 16.4 and 4.9% for deer. Seropositivity to all serovars was observed from all regions, with some differences in seroprevalence observed between species and regions, but not between islands. Combining with Hardjobovis and Pomona data, herd/flock-level seropositivity for all animal species and all five Leptospira serovars was 100% at definition ≥1 animal positive, and 97.5 and 96.3% for sheep flocks, 87.8 and 97.8% for beef cattle herds, and 89.3 and 75% for deer herds at ≥2 and ≥3 animals positive, respectively. Conclusions Seropositivity to serovars Ballum, Copenhageni and Tarassovi is common in sheep, beef cattle and deer New Zealand and most, or all farms have ≥1 livestock species seropositive to ≥1 serovar. Clinical relevance Serovars Ballum, Tarassovi and Copenhageni should be considered when clinical or subclinical signs of leptospirosis are observed in sheep, beef cattle or deer. Livestock sector workers are potentially at risk of exposure.

High morbidity cutaneous enzootic myiasis by Dermatobia hominis (Diptera: Oestridae) in sambar deer (Rusa unicolor)

This study describes the first known occurrence and treatment of enzootic cutaneous myiasis by Dermatobia hominis in a herd of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor). Sambar deer are clinically affected by enzootic cutaneous myiasis during the spring and summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Through direct inspection and clinicopathological evaluation in the herd with 80 R. unicolor, it was observed that infestation by D. hominis caused 100% morbidity. At histological exam, skin had eosinophilic and granulomatous chronic active severe necrohemorrhagic dermatitis associated with botfly and moderate surrounding fibroplasia. The systemic treatment with oral ivermectin at 0.08% was effective in 93.7% of deer with enzootic cutaneous myiasis after fourteen days. After treatment, the skin deer had eosinophilic and granulomatous chronic severe dermatitis associated with degenerated botfly and severe fibroplasia. Notable differences in leukocyte profile were observed between groups pre- and post-treatment. Decrease of relative values of neutrophils and eosinophils were significant in the treated deer group. An increase of relative values of monocytes was also confirmed in the treated group. Sambar deer was the only species affected by D. hominis, even though several other wild herbivores were kept in the same area. More studies are needed to elucidate the susceptibility of R. unicolor to D. hominis cutaneous infestations.

HUNTING PRESSURE MODULATES PRION INFECTION RISK IN MULE DEER HERDS.

The emergence of chronic wasting disease, an infectious prion disease of multiple deer species, has motivated international calls for sustainable, socially accepted control measures. Here, we describe long-term, spatially replicated relationships in Colorado, US, mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) herds that show hunting pressure can modulate apparent epidemic dynamics as reflected by prevalence trends. Across 12 areas in Colorado studied between 2002-18, those with the largest declines in annual hunting license numbers (pressure) showed the largest increases in the proportion of infected adult (≥2-yr-old) male deer killed by hunters (prevalence); prevalence trends were comparatively flat in most areas where license numbers had been maintained or increased. The mean number of licenses issued in the 2 yr prior best explained observed patterns: increasing licenses lowered subsequent risk of harvesting an infected deer, and decreasing licenses increased that risk. Our findings suggest that harvesting mule deer with sufficient hunting pressure might control chronic wasting disease-especially when prevalence is low-but that harvest prescriptions promoting an abundance of mature male deer contribute to the exponential growth of epidemics.

A survey of gastrointestinal nematode species in red deer (Cervus elaphus) farms in New Zealand using PCR.

Gastrointestinal nematodes are recognised as an animal health issue for farmed red deer. The aim of this study was to explore the range of species infecting farmed deer herds and their farm-level prevalence in New Zealand. Faecal samples were collected from 12-24-month-old deer (n = 6-26; mean 19) on 59 farms located in the North (n = 25) and South (n = 34) Islands. Sub-samples of faeces were pooled by farm and cultured to recover third stage larvae. Twenty four larvae were randomly selected and identified to species using a multiplex PCR (total = 1217 larvae). At farm-level the most prevalent nematodes were Oesophagostomum venulosum 83% (n = 49) and the deer-specific nematodes in the subfamily Ostertagiinae (=Ostertagia-type) including, Spiculoptera asymmetrica 73% (n = 43), Ostertagia leptospicularis 47% (n = 28), Spiculoptera spiculoptera 47% (n = 28). The recently identified Trichostrongylus askivali was present on 32% (n = 19) of the farms and Oesophagostomum sikae on 17% (n = 10). In the analysis of the total number of larvae identified, the proportion was in similar order, 45% (n = 548) were O. venulosum, 14% (n = 173) S. asymmetrica, 10% (n = 124) S. spiculoptera, 9% (n = 114) O. leptospicularis, T. askivali, 3% (n = 40) and only 2% were O. sikae (n = 20). This study is the first to show the farm-level prevalence of nematode species in deer in New Zealand and the first to use PCR as a diagnostic tool. It provides data consistent with cross-infection from sheep/cattle to deer, and provided tentative insights into the proportions of the main GIN species across the deer population including O. sikae and T. askivali which have only recently been identified in New Zealand.

Migration and seasonal ranges of the Eastern Tehama deer herd in northern California

Migration and seasonal ranges of the Eastern Tehama deer herd in northern California

Effects of culling white-tailed deer on tree regeneration and Microstegium vimineum, an invasive grass

Reduction of forest regeneration due to overbrowsing by white-tailed deer is a growing concern for land managers. Abundant deer can impede forest regeneration through direct predation on tree seedlings. Additionally high deer density can facilitate the establishment of a dense understory of browse tolerant plant species that shades seedlings and persists even in the absence of deer. In response to these challenges, land managers have sought to reduce deer herds to restore tree regeneration, but few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this management. Our study took place in Catoctin Mountain Park, a US National Park Service unit with a history of high deer density. The park has been heavily invaded by Microstegium vimineum, an invasive grass that can completely cover the forest floor. Using permanent plots established prior to the start of deer management, we were able to assess the joint effects of deer culling and M. vimineum on tree seedling density. We found that tree seedling density increased in response to deer reductions. M. vimineum cover initially increased, but then decreased. Seedling densities were higher in plots with more M. vimineum cover, indicating that it did not form a recalcitrant understory that would suppress regeneration. However, eight years after deer management began, few tree seedlings were >30 cm tall, implying that it will be many years before they grow into the sapling stage. Our results indicate that deer culling can be an effective tool in restoring tree regeneration despite the presence of M. vimineum, but that success will require a long-term commitment.

Aboriginal Timber-Built Deer Corral-Traps in Mineral County, Nevada

ABSTRACTLate prehistoric and early historic communal hunting sites along the southwestern mountainous margins of the Great Basin, United Sates, include timber-built corral-traps estimated to be only a few hundred years old. In most of these, no animal bones or direct evidence for the targeted species were found in the corrals. Our goals were to characterize and reconstruct past use of these sites, and we chose two distinct case studies, Anchorite Pass and Excelsior. We provide high-resolution documentation of the sites and their archaeological components, using nearly 10,000 aerial photographs as the basis for 3D modeling. We specifically address construction characteristics which include the incorporation of living trees and felling juniper timbers by fire. Drawing on limited ethnographic sources and current seasonal routes of local mule deer herds, we suggest the two sites were used for seasonal trapping of such herds. Forest fires and modern construction severely endanger such vulnerable sites.

DIVERSE BARTONELLA SPP. DETECTED IN WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) AND ASSOCIATED KEDS (LIPOPTENA MAZAMAE) IN THE SOUTHEASTERN USA.

There are many known species of Bartonella, Gram-negative bacteria that can cause febrile illness and fatality in humans and animals. These pathogens are often transmitted through hematophagous arthropod vectors such as fleas and lice. Despite increasing awareness about Bartonella spp. and their zoonotic potential, as well as existing literature on Bartonella spp. in cervids, little is known about the diversity of Bartonella spp. in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and their associated keds in the southeastern US. We examined the prevalence and diversity of Bartonella spp. in an enclosed herd of white-tailed deer and their ectoparasites, deer keds (Lipoptena mazamae), in Alabama. The overall prevalence of Bartonella infection in this population of deer was 16% (10/63) and 24% (23/96) in keds associated with deer that we sampled. Three species of Bartonella were identified in both deer and their keds: Bartonella bovis, Bartonella schoenbuchensis, and Bartonella sp. 1. Additionally, Bartonella melophagi was detected in white-tailed deer but not in the sampled keds. The detection of four Bartonella species in one population of white-tailed deer, three of which have known zoonotic potential, highlights the importance of Bartonella diversity within host species.

Private Property Rights in Captive Breeder Deer: How Wild Are They?

Chronic wasting disease is an incurable and 100% fatal disease that is ravaging America’s native deer population. Despite the state’s best efforts, the disease spread to Texas in 2012. It now threatens to wreak havoc on Texas’s ecosystems and a hunting and fishing industry that accounts for 14.4-billion-dollars of Texas’s economy. Unfortunately, unless prompt action is taken, there will be a third—perhaps unforeseen—victim: Texas citizens’ property rights. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has responded to the disease primarily through containment and euthanasia of any deer suspected to be at risk of having the disease. This is because it is impossible to test for the disease on a live deer and because deer can be asymptomatic for years while spreading the disease. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the seemingly draconian effect of having entire herds of captive breeder deer euthanized when the disease is discovered in one member of the herd. For the unfortunate citizens who own these ranches, this means the destruction of their livelihoods and the loss of millions of dollars’ worth of breeder deer. Consequently, deer breeders have been bringing takings claims in order to recover compensation for the destruction of their property by the government. However, an individual must have a property interest to be able to bring a successful takings claim. Therefore, courts have had to broach the question of whether captive breeder deer can be private property. Most recently in Texas, the Austin Court of Appeals in Bailey v. Smith held — much to the chagrin of the deer breeder industry and property right supporters everywhere — captive breeder deer are not private property, but merely public property held under permit. This interpretation of Texas’s common law and regulatory scheme to abrogate Texas citizens’ property rights in captive breeder deer cannot stand. This Article argues that Texas courts and legislators must take steps to uphold and strengthen its citizens’ private property rights in their captive breeder deer. Classifying theses expensive animals as public property, aside from infringing on citizens’ property rights, will likely have a myriad of negative effects, ranging from destabilizing an important sector of Texas’s economy to destroying individuals’ abilities to protect their interest against third parties. There are many academic articles providing analysis of private ownership of wild animals as this subject is thousands of years old. However, this Article is the first to consider the ownership of captive breeder deer through the lens of Texas’s statutory and common law scheme and in the light of the recent decision in Bailey v. Smith. Further, this Article gives unique insight into the yet unaddressed negative effects classifying captive breeder deer as public property would have. This topic will only become more pertinent as chronic wasting disease continues to spread through Texas causing it and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s regulations to affect more and more people.