Male Deer Research Articles

The essential differences in microbial and chemical components of musk of different qualities secreted by captive male forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii).

SummaryMusk is a precious raw material and ingredient in Chinese traditional medicine. The production of unqualified musk has become a puzzling problem in forest musk deer (FMD) breeding. However, what the essential differences between so‐called unqualified musk and mature qualified musk have not yet been elucidated. In this study, 12 musk samples were collected and separated into two groups according to their external properties. One group is white or black cream‐like secretion with sour or unpleasant odour (MM); the other group is brown or blackish brown solid secretion with pleasant fragrance (DM). Next‐generation sequencing and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry were used to explore the essential differences between the DM and MM groups in microbial and chemical compositions. The results indicate that the DM group has more heterogenous microbial structure but simpler relationships among microbial communities. LEfSe analysis showed that 14 taxa at the genus level could be used to distinguish the DM and MM groups and Bacillus, Paracoccus, tenoteophomonas, Mycobacterium and Leuconostoc were more abundant in the DM group (P < 0.05). In addition, six compounds were identified to specifically distinguish the DM and MM groups under the OPLS‐DA model. PICRUSt analysis revealed that metabolic pathways such as carbohydrate metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, energy metabolism, transport and catabolism were enriched in the DM group. All these findings of differences in microbiota and chemical compositions would provide potential clues for MM quality improvement and new evidence for the scientific establishment of a quality evaluation standard for musk.

Particular qualities of mineral metabolism in sika deer (Cervus nippon) in a limited area of the National Park «Losiny Ostrov»

Preserving animal populations and improving the quality of life of individual animals largely depends on monitoring their health. This task is especially important in isolated area under the harmful influence of man. The goal of the work was to analyze the mineral composition of the sika deer blood to identify the features of mineral metabolism in isolated area, under conditions of high anthropogenic load. During this research the type of soil on which the habitat of animals is located was taken into account. The object of the study was 59 individuals of sika deer (Cervus nippon) of different sex and age groups living in the territory of the Losiny Ostrov National Park in natural and semifree conditions. The level of serum calcium, phosphorus (and their ratio), magnesium, potassium, iron and chlorides was determined in animal subjects. Biochemical studies of blood samples were carried out on a biochemical analyzer HTI Biohaem SA, using reagents manufactured by ZAO Diacon-DS (Russia). The research results showed that almost all macro and microelements in male sika deer of the younger age group have higher average values relative to those in adult animals. Analysis of mineral metabolism indices in female sika deer revealed that with the same average calcium value in young and adult individuals, the spread between the maximum and minimum levels for this element is more pronounced in the group of adult females (1.7–3.4 mmol/l). Abnormalities of Ca/P metabolism were found in a small number of young males; single deviations in calcium and phosphorus were also observed in males of the older age group. A considerably low magnesium level was found in 31% of the older female deer, while the iron level was 21% higher among the young females. In general, the content of mineral elements in the blood serum of young animals was found to be higher due to the accelerated metabolism and intensive growth. In the course of the work, the indicators of mineral metabolism in sika deer of the Losiny Ostrov National Park were determined, which makes it possible to use this information to observe changes or diagnose metabolic disorders.

Setaria tundra in a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in the Donau-Ries district of Bavaria, Germany.

Setaria tundra is known as a common parasite of sylvatic ungulates in Northern latitudes. Although mostly considered of low pathogenicity, severe disease outbreaks and remarkable economic losses have been observed in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Host density and climatic factors are major drivers of the expansion of Setaria spp. facilitating their development and spread. Five adult specimens of S. tundra were retrieved from a male roe deer in Bavaria, Germany. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) barcoding confirmed morphological identification. Cyclooxygenase 1 gene sequences showed 98,73-99,68 % similarity to sequences of other S. tundra specimens found in deer (Cervidae) and mosquitoes (Culicidae). The results raise awareness for the presence of S. tundra in a hitherto unkown endemic region and represent a starting point for broader investigations to understand the biology and distribution of this parasite in roe deer as well as other potential definitive hosts.

Characterising a unique recreational hunting method: hound hunting of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in Victoria, Australia

Context Scent-trailing dogs (‘hounds’) are used to hunt introduced sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in south-eastern Australia, but little is known about this recreational hunting technique. Aim The aim of this study was to characterise hound hunting of sambar deer in Victoria, Australia. Our study had three objectives as follows: (1) to report the hunting success of the technique; (2) to estimate pursuit times and distances; and (3) to investigate the landscape features associated with kill sites. Methods Data were collected from four hound-hunting crews during 2020–2021. GPS data from collars fitted to hounds were used to quantify hunt duration (min) and hunt distance (m). Logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of deer sex and hound pack size on the probability of hunting success. We used a Bayesian multinomial regression resource selection function (RSF) to identify the characteristics of sites where deer were killed (elevation, aspect, and distances to water and roads). Key results The four hunting teams ranged in size from 2 to 10 people and from one to eight hounds. Of 136 hunts, most (88%) harvested a deer, with pursued deer escaping on the other 12% of occasions. Pursuit times and distances were highly variable, with pursuit time &gt;60 min for 46% of hunts and pursuit distance &gt;5 km for 30% of hunts. The probability of killing a pursued male and female deer were similar, and there was not a positive relationship between pack size and hunt success. The RSF showed that both male and female deer were more likely to be killed on steeper slopes and closer to roads. Conclusions Successful hound hunting of sambar deer involves pursuits of considerable duration and requires a network of roads, with geographical features associated with deer kills sites being related to hunter access. Implications Hound hunting may be a useful wildlife management tool for land managers, but further studies are needed to assess its efficacy for achieving management goals.

Behaviour of a large ungulate reflects temporal patterns of predation risk

Context Many prey species exhibit antipredator behaviours when threatened, yet prey response to temporal variation in predation risk is not well-understood, despite being foundational to predator–prey dynamics and an important consideration among game population managers and recreationalists. Aims To examine white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) behaviour in response to temporal variation in predation risk imposed by recreational hunters and to assess the effect of deer sex and age on antipredator response. Methods Global positioning system (GPS) collars were used to monitor behaviour of female and male deer in response to diel and weekly patterns of recreational hunting in Alabama, USA. Key results Deer behaviour on weekends (i.e. Friday–Sunday), corresponding to periods of elevated risk, was similar to behaviour on weekdays (i.e. Monday–Thursday). However, when behaviour was examined by individual day of the week, movement rate decreased by 17%, net displacement decreased by 31%, and the probability of activity decreased by 24% during daylight hours on Sundays compared with Fridays. Behavioural changes among days were not detected at night. Daytime behavioural shifts persisted until Wednesdays, despite lower weekday hunting activity. Behavioural variation by deer sex and age was also observed. Conclusions Deer perceive temporal variation in predation risk and modify their behaviour to reduce the likelihood of predation. Variation in response across sex and age classes may be driven by previous experience with hunters and/or survival- and fitness-related trade-offs that affect prey decisions at the individual level. Antipredator response was not initially detectable when examined at a broad temporal scale (i.e. weekend vs weekday); however, a behavioural response was shown with a finer-scale analysis (i.e. individual day of the week), which more closely reflected the pattern of risk fluctuation. Implications Our findings demonstrated the acute awareness of a large ungulate to temporal changes in predation risk and provided insight into ways in which these prey behaviourally respond to reduce the likelihood of predatory encounters. Future studies should consider the temporal scale of risk fluctuation when examining antipredator response to avoid false conclusions. Ungulate hunters and managers can use this information to more efficiently achieve their goals.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ РАЗВИТИЯ ПАНТОВ ИЗЮБРА (CERVUS ELAPHUS XANTHOPYGOS MILNE-EDWARDS, 1860), ПРИМОРСКИЙ КРАЙ

Red deer (Cervus elaphus xanthopygos Milne-Edwards, 1860) is a native subspecies of the red deer, the most common representative of the fauna of coniferous-deciduous forests in the south of the Far East, which inhabits here mainly low and middle mountains. The purpose of the study is to study the features of morphology and development of velvet antlers in male deer of different ages in the population of the Chuguevsky district of Primorsky Krai. Red deer is a very promising species of ungulates for intensive hunting, so the need to study the morphological features of the growth and development of horns in red deer in Primorsky Krai is undeniable. The studies were carried out in the Chuguevsky district, 5 camera traps were used, installed on the territory of solonetzes, the age of males was determined by morphological features. In total, more than 600 photolocations of red deer were studied during April-July 2021, the material obtained made it possible to identify with great certainty the main patterns of growth and development of antlers in red deer in the study area. All recorded animals were divided into 9 age groups. There was a fixation of visits to solonetzes by individuals of each group at different times of the day and in different periods of the summer months. The article presents the results of the work on identifying the developmental features of antlers in male red deer of different ages and at different maturation periods, obtained by studying photolocations from camera traps installed on natural ones in solonetz areas. It was found that by the end of July, in most adult males, the horns had completely grown and ossified, with the exception of the upper ends, which were still velvety and quite soft.

Seasonal and daily activity of non-native sambar deer in and around high-elevation peatlands, south-eastern Australia

Context Of the six species of non-native deer present in Australia, the sambar deer is the largest and has been identified as a major threat to high-elevation peatlands in south-eastern Australia. However, little is known about sambar deer activity in high-elevation peatlands. Aims The aims of this study were to quantify sambar deer activity (including wallowing) seasonally and daily in response to biotic and abiotic variables, and how activity was impacted by ground-based shooting. Methods To estimate sambar deer activity, camera traps were continuously deployed for 4 years in two ~4300-ha areas in Alpine National Park, Victoria, south-eastern Australia. One area was subject to management operations using ground-based shooting to target deer and the other was not. Monthly activity of sambar deer was modelled using biotic (woody vegetation cover), abiotic (snow depth, aspect, slope, distance to water, road and peatland) and management (treatment versus non-treatment) covariates. Additional camera traps were deployed to monitor sambar deer activity at wallows. Key results Sambar deer activity decreased when snow depth increased (between July and September), and was highest in easterly and northerly aspects with dense woody vegetation close to high-elevation peatlands and roads. During our 4-year study, sambar deer activity decreased in the treatment area but increased in the non-treatment area. Sambar deer exhibited a crepuscular diel cycle, with greatest activity around sunset. Only male sambar deer were observed to wallow, with most wallowing occurring in the afternoon during October–June. Conclusions Sambar deer utilised high-elevation peatlands during October–June. Daily activity was crepuscular and was greatest in dense tree cover close to roads. Ground-based shooting reduced sambar deer activity in and around high-elevation peatlands. Implications Control operations targeting sambar deer at high elevations in south-eastern Australia should be conducted during October–June. Outside this period sambar deer appear to use lower-elevation habitats. The effectiveness of ground-based shooting could be improved by focusing this control action around sunset (when sambar deer are most active) and in places with dense vegetation close to roads and high-elevation peatlands.

Translocating captive female white-tailed deer

Context Thousands of captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) breeding facilities exist across North America for the purpose of producing trophy-class deer (i.e. exceptionally large-antlered). Many of these deer get marketed to private landowners, with the expectation that introduced deer will enhance genetics in the population, resulting in larger-antlered male deer. Previous research suggests that survival and reproductive success of translocated wild white-tailed deer are highly variable; however, little is known about the fate of white-tailed deer translocated from captive-breeding operations. Aims To assess the efficacy of translocating captive female white-tailed deer for the purpose of increasing average antler size within a high-fence property. Methods We translocated 24 adult female deer into a private, 300-ha high-fence shooting preserve in east-central Alabama over a 3-year period. We monitored survival, reproductive success, and fawn recruitment for the translocated deer by using VHF radio collars and vaginal-implant transmitters (VITs). Key results We found a 12-month survival rate of 0.54 for translocated deer. We captured nine fawns throughout our study, leading to a rate of 0.9 fawns per VIT, after accounting for doe mortality and premature VIT expulsion. We found 60-day and 6-month fawn survival rates of 0.33 and 0.22 respectively. Conclusions Survival of translocated captive deer was comparable to rates reported in previous studies that translocated wild deer, although lower than what is found in wild populations that undergo no translocation. Translocated does produced a low number of fawns relative to the national average, although fawn recruitment was within the range of survival rates reported in studies of wild deer. Implications We believe our findings provide a baseline of expectations for captive-deer translocations. Given our results, we believe it is infeasible to expect increased average antler size within this study site by translocating adult female white-tailed deer.

A novel intermediate host for Taenia serialis (Gervais, 1847): The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L. 1758) from the Monti Sibillini National Park (MSNP), Italy.

Taeniids are multi-host parasites with an indirect life cycle that strictly depends on a predator-prey relationship. Parasites with a complex life cycle may exhibit different degrees of host-specificity at each life stage. Knowing the host breadth is a fundamental concept of the biology and epidemiology of these multi-host parasites. Morphological identification of tapeworms is challenging and occasionally may produce misdiagnosis. Thus, molecular investigations were carried out for the identification of parasitic cysts detected from muscle tissues in a male roe deer necropsied at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati” (Central Italy). Sanger sequencing showed 99% query cover, 2e-109 e-value, and 100% identity with Taenia serialis. The exact definitive host was not revealed in this report, but red foxes and Italian wolves may play a significant role as being widespread within the area. Wildlife surveillance is crucial to monitor for human and animal health since global distribution and flexibility in intermediate hosts of many and even more critical taeniids species may enlarge their host range.

Clinical management of a severe traumatic cutaneous myiasis at the base of the antler in a fallow deer, Dama dama: A case report

Cutaneous myiasis is the infestation of larvae of flies in the vertebrate. The condition causes significant economic losses to the livestock industry indicating the importance of a systematic approach to clinical management. The incidents of two episodes of severe cutaneous myiasis wound at the base of the antler in a 5-year-old semi-intensively managed male Dama dama deer was described. Physical examination revealed a foul-smelling necrotic wound around the left cornual region measuring 5cm×4cm in radius and 3cm in depth and fly eggs were seen on the surface of the wound. The clinical findings suggest the diagnosis of a severe cutaneous myiasis. The case was managed by wound debridement and flushing with hydrogen peroxide 3% and diluted hibiscrub 0.05%, followed with povidone iodine 2.5%. Topical ointment, Dermapred® and insecticide, Negasunt® were applied topically. Parenteral administration of flunixin meglumine 2.2 mg/kg for 3 days and Oxytetracycline 1 ml/10 k every 72 hours, given twice both through intramuscular route. Supplement injections, Vitavet® and Catosal™ were given to improve the wound healing process. The outcome of the wound improved post-14 days of treatment. Administration of timely combination of antimicrobials, pain management and flies control are leading factors to a good healing process.

Differential expression profiles of microRNAs in musk gland of unmated and mated forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii).

BackgroundThe formation of musk is a complex biophysical and biochemical process that change with the rut of male forest musk deer. We have reported that the mating status of male forest musk deer might result to the variations of chemical composition and microbiota of musk and its yields. Critical roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) of multi-tissues were profiled in our previous study; however, the role for miRNAs of the musk gland remains unclear in this species.MethodsIn this study, we used Illumina deep sequencing technology to sequence the small RNA transcriptome of unmated male (UM) and mated male (UM) of Chinese forest musk deer.ResultsWe identified 1,652 known miRNAs and 45 novel miRNAs, of which there were 174 differentially expressed miRNAs between UM and MM. chi-miR-21-5p, ipu-miR-99b and bta-miR-26a were up-regulated in UM among the 10 most differentially expressed miRNAs. Functional enrichment of the target genes showed that monosaccharide biosynthetic process, protein targeting, cellular protein catabolic process enriched higher in MM. Meanwhile, structural molecule activity, secretion by cell, regulated exocytosis and circulatory system process enriched more in UM, hinting that the formation of musk in UM was mediated by target genes related to exocytosis. The miRNA-mRNA pairs such as miR-21: CHD7, miR143: HSD17B7, miR-141/200a: Noc2 might involve in musk gland development and musk secretion, which need to be verified in future study.

Genomic analysis reveals a polygenic architecture of antler morphology in wild red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Sexually selected traits show large variation and rapid evolution across the animal kingdom, yet genetic variation often persists within populations despite apparent directional selection. A key step in solving this long-standing paradox is to determine the genetic architecture of sexually selected traits to understand evolutionary drivers and constraints at the genomic level. Antlers are a form of sexual weaponry in male red deer (Cervus elaphus). On the island of Rum, Scotland, males with larger antlers have increased breeding success, yet there has been no evidence of any response to selection at the genetic level. To try and understand the mechanisms underlying this observation, we investigate the genetic architecture of ten antler traits and their principal components using genomic data from >38,000 SNPs. We estimate the heritabilities and genetic correlations of the antler traits using a genomic relatedness approach. We then use genome-wide association and haplotype-based regional heritability to identify regions of the genome underlying antler morphology, and an empirical Bayes approach to estimate the underlying distributions of allele effect sizes. We show that antler morphology is highly repeatable over an individual's lifetime, heritable and has a polygenic architecture and that almost all antler traits are positively genetically correlated with some loci identified as having pleiotropic effects. Our findings suggest that a large mutational target and genetic covariances among antler traits, in part maintained by pleiotropy, are likely to contribute to the maintenance of genetic variation in antler morphology in this population.

Modeling abundance, distribution, movement and space use with camera and telemetry data.

Studies of animal abundance and distribution are often conducted independently of research on movement, despite the important links between processes. Movement can cause rapid changes in spatial variation in density, and movement influences detection probability and therefore estimates of abundance from inferential methods such as spatial capture-recapture (SCR). Technological developments including camera traps and GPS telemetry have opened new opportunities for studying animal demography and movement, yet statistical models for these two data types have largely developed along parallel tracks. We present a hierarchical model in which both datasets are conditioned on a movement process for a clearly defined population. We fitted the model to data from 60 camera traps and 23,572 GPS telemetry locations collected on 17 male white-tailed deer in the Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, USA during July 2015. Telemetry data were collected on a 3-4 h acquisition schedule, and we modeled the movement paths of all individuals in the region with a Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process that included individual-specific random effects. Two of the 17 deer with GPS collars were detected on cameras. An additional 20 male deer without collars were detected on cameras and individually identified based on their unique antler characteristics. Abundance was 126 (95% CI: 88-177) in the 228 km2 region, only slightly higher than estimated using a standard SCR model: 119 (84-168). The standard SCR model, however, was unable to describe individual heterogeneity in movement rates and space use as revealed by the joint model. Joint modeling allowed the telemetry data to inform the movement model and the SCR encounter model, while leveraging information in the camera data to inform abundance, distribution and movement. Unlike most existing methods for population-level inference on movement, the joint SCR-movement model can yield unbiased inferences even if non-uniform sampling is used to deploy transmitters. Potential extensions of the model include the addition of resource selection parameters, and relaxation of the closure assumption when interest lies in survival and recruitment. These developments would contribute to the emerging holistic framework for the study of animal ecology, one that uses modern technology and spatio-temporal statistics to learn about interactions between behavior and demography.

Population genomics of free-ranging Great Plains white-tailed and mule deer reflects a long history of interspecific hybridization.

Hybridization is a natural process at species‐range boundaries that may variably promote the speciation process or break down species barriers but minimally will influence management outcomes of distinct populations. White‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) have broad and overlapping distributions in North America and a recognized capacity for interspecific hybridization. In response to contemporary environmental change to any of one or multiple still‐unknown factors, mule deer range is contracting westward accompanied by a westward expansion of white‐tailed deer, leading to increasing interactions, opportunities for gene flow, and associated conservation implications. To quantify genetic diversity, phylogenomic structure, and dynamics of hybridization in sympatric populations of white‐tailed and mule deer, we used mitochondrial cytochrome b data coupled with SNP loci discovered with double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing. We recovered 25,018 SNPs across 92 deer samples from both species, collected from two regions of western Kansas. Eight individuals with unambiguous external morphology representing both species were of hybrid origin (8.7%), and represented the product of multi‐generational backcrossing. Mitochondrial data showed both ancient and recent directional discordance with morphological species assignments, reflecting a legacy of mule deer males mating with white‐tailed deer females. Mule deer had lower genetic diversity than white‐tailed deer, and both mitochondrial and nuclear data suggest contemporary mule deer effective population decline. Landscape genetic analyses show relative isolation between the two study regions for white‐tailed deer, but greater connectivity among mule deer, with predominant movement from north to south. Collectively, our results suggest a long history of gene flow between these species in the Great Plains and hint at evolutionary processes that purge incompatible functional genomic elements as a result of hybridization. Surviving hybrids evidently may be reproductive, but with unknown consequences for the future integrity of these species, population trajectories, or relative susceptibility to emerging pathogens.

The age distribution in the Taimyr population wild northern deer (&lt;i&gt;Rangifer Tarandus&lt;/i&gt;) in the first decades of 21 centuries

Objective: mathematical demography means to identify and evaluate the age distribution of male and female of Taimyr tundra reindeer in the first decade of the XXI century and future trends in demographic situation Taimyr population.Materials and methods. The base material for evaluating the current state of the population age structure Taimyr steel fishing representative sample of male and female wild deer (n = 10845 individuals) collected in the West, Central and Taimyr Putorana in 2001-2008., And the deer samples (n = 1569 individuals), the floor of which is unknown. Determination of individual animals from age and older (n = 9773 individuals) performed on histological sections of cutters according to the corresponding procedure. To repay the random deviations of sample data because of a lack of presence of immature animals (calves, yearlings, young 1-2 years) (selectivity of fishing is directed primarily at the production of individuals older than 3 years, why animals in different age groups in the samples is greater than there are in the population) applies a smoothing procedure. Then, positive deviation of the number of individuals in the same age group were leveled due to negative deviations in adjacent groups.Results. By smoothed age ranges of the field samples from 2001-2008 the current age distribution of Taimyr wild reindeer calculated and analyzed. The study showed that the theoretical current age distribution of males with realized breeding is 77.03, females - 80.56, in the combined groups of animals - 82.35%. The real population has 18-19 age generations of males and females. The reproductive core of males from 3 to 10 years old is 48.43%, individuals of age limit 11 years and older occupy 1.96% of this sex and age structure, calves and young animals for 1-2 years - 24.64%. For the reproductive part of females aged 3–15 years, the overall age distribution is 55.34%, and the proportion of juveniles and young animals, according to calculations, is determined in this part of the population at 25.16%. In the combined current age distribution, males, females: calves and young animals accounted for 27.72%, the sexually mature part with animals of older and age-specific ages - 54.63%.Conclusion. Demographic Taimir population modeling operation in the first decade of the XXI century long materials commercial samples collected at commercial points shown at current age distribution of the realized and reproduction conditions for existing commercial load males - 77.03 for females - 80.56 and for unified groups (males, females) - 82.4%. Meanwhile, the steady state and stable age distribution Taimyr tundra wild deer can reach a middle-level only when the fecundity of female reproductive generations with clean reproduction rate (R0) equal in population groupings 1.0

Mother Ranaldi: a post-paleolithic goddess gives birth flanked by supernatural stags

Abstract Birth was one of the most magical, miraculous, and blessed events of post-paleolithic spirituality. The Mesolithic - Early Neolithic rock art paintings of the Ranaldi Shelter (Southern Italy) give distinct visual evidence to a universal subject: the woman during childbirth and the wild animal which, given the context data, is the adult male red deer. The pivotal personage of the drama, Mother Ranaldi, shares her iconographic canon with the Goddess of Childbirth in prehistoric art. She is a majestic, naked, corpulent and fertile anthropomorph who is delivering a new life between her generous thighs. The depiction of the newborn’s head emerging from the vagina emphasizes her female power to procreate. Mother Ranaldi is birthing flanked by two adult stags which she touches with her sacred hands. They are not ordinary animals. Their supernatural nature is described by three features: exaggerated unnatural antlers, clear epiphanic seasonal nature, and bicephalism. They were symbol of worship to the Goddess of Generation, acting as her paredri (supporting, assisting partners). Ranaldi Shelter was used during the seasonal relocation of cervids, which in spring moved from the plains to the summer mountainous ranges. Then, the red paintings had not only a sacred value. Having totemic nature, they carried out a territorial function by contributing to organize and mark the territory, possibly associated with appropriate rituals.

Effects of Antler Point Restrictions on Deer Harvest in New York

ABSTRACTManaging game species can require balancing multiple social and conservation goals. For many game species, including white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), harvest is the primary tool for management of population abundance. Hunter interest in harvesting older male deer has encouraged managers to find ways to protect younger deer and recruit them into older age classes. Antler point restrictions (APRs) that protect some yearling antlered deer from harvest can be implemented to increase the availability of older, larger‐antlered deer for hunters. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) implemented mandatory APRs in 2 adjacent areas of the state, one beginning in 2005 and the other in 2012. We predicted that APRs would decrease the proportion of yearling antlered deer in the harvest. We also predicted that APRs might result in an increase in the harvest of antlerless deer and harvest success on Deer Management Permits (DMPs), which are permits issued by the DEC that allow harvest of antlerless deer and are used to manage deer population size. We collected harvest information during 2003–2016 from the 2 areas with APRs and from adjacent areas that did not have APRs. The proportion of yearlings in the harvest was initially 51% and 58% in the 2005 and 2012 APR areas, respectively, and declined to 13% and 19% respectively after 5 years. Antler point restrictions did not affect the harvest of antlerless deer or DMP success. Although APRs successfully reduced the proportion of yearlings in the antlered harvest, we also observed a smaller decline (from 62% to 45%) over the same time period in the proportion of yearlings in the harvest in areas adjacent to the 2005 APR. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood biochemical indexes of male sika deer (Cervus nippon)

Context Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is very important for animals and humans. CLA has many important biological functions, such as reducing fat and increasing muscle, antioxidation, improving immunity and so on. CLA requirements for deer have not been established. Aims A single-factor test was conducted to evaluate the effects of CLA supplementation on male sika deer. Methods Sixteen deer were divided in four groups (from G0 to G3) of four animals, each according to their bodyweight. Deer in G0 were fed a basal diet without CLA supplementation. Deer in G1, G2 and G3 were fed diets supplemented with CLA at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0%. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood biochemical indexes were measured. Key results The results suggested that the average daily gain of deer increased with conjugated linoleic acid supplementation (P &lt; 0.05); maximal growth performance was seen in G2. The average daily feed intake showed differences among the treatments (P &lt; 0.01). The highest average daily feed intake was observed in Group G2. Feed to gain ratio (F:G) in Groups G1, G2 and G3 was different from that in Group G0 (P &lt; 0.01). The digestibility of crude protein and ether extract was increased by conjugated linoleic acid concentrations (P &lt; 0.05). The alkaline phosphatase activity showed a significant increase (P &lt; 0.05) in Groups G2 and G3, compared with Group G0. There were significant differences in cholesterol between G1 and G2 groups (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions The results indicated that conjugated linoleic acid supplementation to diet plays a positive role in the growth of sika deer. Implications This experiment has shown the effects of dietary supplementation with CLA in sika deer breeding. It has layed a good foundation for the application of CLA supplementation in sika deer industry to promote the healthy development of sika deer breeding industry.

Resource-area-dependence analysis of desert mule deer habitats in the San Andres Mountains, New Mexico, USA

Desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus eremicus) populations throughout the arid Southwestern USA and Mexico have declined; hence, it is important to identify habitats that provide for their requirements to inform habitat management. We used resource-area-dependence analysis (RADA), which relates home range size to composition of home ranges, to determine habitats most associated with decreasing home range sizes (i.e., increasing quality) for adult male and female mule deer in the San Andres Mountains (SAM) of south-central New Mexico, USA. Pinyon-juniper woodland and oak-mountain mahogany shrubland were the habitats most associated with home range quality for both lactating and dry females, likely because they provided the highest quantity and diversity of browse and the best cover attributes of habitat types in the SAM. Grama grassland was the only habitat associated with male home range size; despite the lack of cover, grama grassland provided more forbs than other habitats in the SAM, and males are less tied to cover than females. Management actions that increase diversity and retard successional status of woodlands and shrublands while retaining cover could increase habitat quality for female mule deer. Actions that favor forbs and increase cover in grasslands would similarly increase habitat quality for males.

Spatio-temporal changes in chronic wasting disease risk in wild deer during 14 years of surveillance in Alberta, Canada

Disease risk modeling is a key first step to understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of wildlife disease and to direct cost-effective surveillance and management. In Alberta, active surveillance for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild cervids began in 1998 with the first case detected in free-ranging cervids in 2005. Following the detection, a herd reduction program was implemented during 2005–2008 and in 2006 the ongoing hunter-based CWD Surveillance Program became mandatory in high-risk Wildlife Management Units (WMU). We used data collected during the CWD surveillance program to 1) document growth in sex-specific CWD prevalence (proportion of deer in sample that is CWD-positive) in hunter-harvest deer in 6 WMUs consistently monitored from 2006 to 2018, 2) document landscape features associated with where CWD-positive compared to CWD-negative deer were removed during hunter harvest and herd reduction in an early (2005–2012) and in a late period (2013–2017), and 3) to map the spatial risk of harvesting a deer infected with CWD in the prairie parklands of Alberta. In the 6 continuously monitored WMUs, risk of a harvested deer being CWD positive increased from 2006 to 2018 with CWD prevalence remaining highest in male mule deer whereas overall growth rate in CWD prevalence was greater in female mule deer, but similar to male white-tailed deer. We found no evidence that the 3-year herd reduction program conducted immediately after CWD was first detected affected the rate at which CWD grew over the course of the invasion. Risk of deer being CWD-positive was the highest in animals taken near small stream drainages and on soils with low organic carbon content in the early period, whereas risk became highest in areas of agriculture especially when far from large river drainages where deer often concentrate in isolated woody patches. The change in the influence of proximity to known CWD-positive cases suggested the disease was initially patchy but became more spatially homogeneous over time. Our results indicate that a targeted-removal program will remove more CWD positive animals compared to hunter harvest. However, the discontinuation of targeted removals during our research program, restricted our ability to assess its long term impact on CWD prevalence.