Deer Management Research Articles

Current Status and Problems of the Management of Javan Deer Captive Breeding in Java Island, Indonesia

The current Javan deer breeding development has shown encouraging results. Some obstacles are still encountered in developing captive Javan deer. Information about the management and the problem of Javan deer captive breeding still needs to be improved. This research is aimed to provide the variations in the management of captive Javan deer and to obtain various problems encountered in managing captive Javan deer. The research will be carried out in several captive Javan deer, namely the Javan deer captivity Maliran, KPH Blitar, and KPH Ngawi (Perhutani). Bunder Javan deer captive breeding (BKSDA Yogyakarta) and CV. Bahtera Satwa (Private javan deer captive breeding). The data collection method used a triangulation method which collects secondary data, interviews, and field observations. Secondary data includes documents related to deer population regulation and management. The interview was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Field Observation is intended to verify and obtain more detailed information about the verifier to be assessed. The result showed captive design and breeding facilities already have the appropriate equipment. Recording of logbook/studbook data has been done. Population management indicates the development of the population, which has increased from the initial population. The feed given, on average, is already a combination of forage and supplementary feed. Only one captive Javan deer has utilized the results of captive breeding. The constraints and problems faced are the population problems such as frequent deaths, low productivity, and the sex ratio that is close to not ideal. Human resources and the new system still need to improve digitization efforts in recording and reporting. The permit application system must adapt to the newly introduced One Single Submission (OSS). Management operational costs are still limited. There are variations in the management of captive Javan deer that have been carried out. Some constraints and problems are often encountered in managing captive Javan deer. Some problems can then be sought for solutions through innovations in captive management.

Őz trófeagazdálkodás eredményei a Zalaerdő Zrt. területén

Our study analysed the roe deer management practices in the Bánokszentgyörgyi Forestry of Zalaerdő Zrt. For the analysis we collected and processed harvest and estimation data, trophy evaluation results and used databases of biotic and abiotic factors. Time series analyses were conducted to explore the factors affecting the quality characteristics of roe deer trophies. By understanding these processes, we sought to highlight management options for improving deer trophy quality in hilly forested habitats. Our results showed that the best trophy quality in the area was observed at ages 5, 6, and 7 years. No differences were found between these ages. Over the 20 years of the study, there was a verifiable increase in the trophy weight of young and middle-aged individuals. The effect of average temperature and precipitation during the antler building period on trophy weight was verified for the young age class.

Impact of deer management cooperative implementation on white‐tailed deer harvest behaviors

AbstractSince the early 1980s, Quality Deer Management (QDM) has been used widely to manage populations of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the United States. Since 2000, QDM has been a catalyst behind a suite of deer management cooperatives (DMCs) forming across the United States. Although QDM has grown in popularity among North American deer hunters, large‐scale implementation of multi‐landowner DMCs relies on voluntary changes to implement structured hunter harvest behavior to achieve management goals. Therefore, a national review of how DMCs influence harvest behavior of hunters and if the DMC model works to accomplish deer management goals is warranted. We assessed if DMCs change the harvest behavior of their members, and if factors such as state, motivations, and length of membership influence change in hunter behavior. Results from our survey of 459 DMC members across 5 U.S. states found that DMC members' harvest behavior changed after joining their DMC. Deer management cooperative members reported they were more likely to harvest does, less likely to harvest yearling males, and more likely to pass on the harvest of a 3.5 year old (or younger) males after joining the DMC. When analyzed at the state level, Texas and Georgia saw the largest gains in perceived hunt quality (2.5 point gain on 1–7 scale) and QDM implementation. Motivations for joining the DMC had little impact, but length of membership influenced hunt behavior with more tenured members (>5 years of membership) being more likely to follow QDM practices. Our results suggest that DMCs serve stakeholders by increasing perceived hunt quality, assisting agency personnel with non‐regulatory avenues to address management goals, and developing a community engaged with local wildlife management. Deer management cooperatives occupy the critical nexus of agency needs and private landowner deer management objectives, often at scales larger than a single private landowner, that are necessary for effectively managing wild deer populations. Although DMCs may not be widely implemented, they may address a myriad of management objectives that public and private stakeholders desire.

Using high-throughput sequencing to investigate the dietary composition of the Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus): a spatiotemporal comparison

The Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) is considered a vermin in Korea because it damages crops, but also listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN’s red list. Therefore, it is indispensable to manage them appropriately by understanding the ecology such as food habits. Here, we aimed to apply high-throughput sequencing (HTS), a sensitive and objective method, to investigate the dietary composition of the Korean water deer inhabiting the lowland and forest areas in summer and winter. We targeted the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region for plant identification. From a total of 40 fecal samples analyzed, 63 plant genera were identified, with Morus being the most abundant, and some of the plant taxa identified by HTS were detected for the first time as the diets of Korean water deer. By type, woody plants (68.6%) were the most predominant, followed by forbs (7.0%) and graminoids (0.7%). We found that the deer in the forest area ate more woody plants (84.6%) than those in the lowland area (52.7%). It was also found that the type of woody plants that the deer ate changed by season. Overall, our results indicate that the Korean water deer is a browser that is seasonally adaptable and feeds on a wide variety of woody plants. We expect that the results and genetics methods reported here, by parallelly investigating their habitat range and reproductive behavior in the future, will help the management and conservation of the Korean water deer, which is in contradictory situations.

Comparing Methods of Estimating Fecal-Pellet-Group Density in Woodlots of the Midwestern United States

AbstractFecal-pellet surveys provide density estimates of pellet groups, which offer a quick and reliable index of population densities for white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus and other wildlife species. Comparisons of differing fecal-pellet survey methodologies have previously shown that they vary in the precision. However, researchers made these comparisons outside of the United States in regions with lower white-tailed deer densities. In this study, we compared pellet-group density estimates and precision from line transects, quadrat sampling, and strip transects. At each site, three observers surveyed simultaneously with each being responsible for one method. Like other studies, we found that each method produced similar estimates of pellet-group density, but quadrat sampling produced the most precise estimates. Furthermore, all three methods suggested that the central region of Indiana had both the highest pellet-group density and the highest precision. These results suggest a more homogenous distribution of pellet groups in areas with higher white-tailed deer densities, which may increase the precision of all methods. Our results suggest that quadrat sampling may be the most effective method for estimating pellet-group densities within woodlots of the U.S. Midwest, and that precision may increase in areas with higher white-tailed deer densities. This study not only improves deer management within the Midwest but provides guidelines for other studies to potentially advance the conservation and management of other species.

Experience of the prefecture with hunting management influences the effectiveness of wildlife policy

AbstractOverabundant ungulate populations have impacted forestry and agricultural systems, as well as natural ecosystems, worldwide. To effectively control the sika deer (Cervus nippon) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations, which are currently under limited hunting pressure in Japan, we evaluated the prefectures' past management experiences with 2 wildlife laws: a prefecture‐determined management system for relaxing hunting regulations implemented in 2000 and municipality‐determined damage control system for subsidized culling implemented in 2008. Time series data (1990–2014) of sika deer and wild boar harvest per hunter for each prefecture were grouped using dynamic time warping clustering analyses. All groups of both ungulates demonstrated significant increases in harvest per hunter after implementing both laws. The prefectures with the most experience in deer management could control sika deer populations through management planning, culling supported by subsidies, and enforcement of antlerless deer harvest. The strategies are likely ineffective for controlling wild boar populations because of the lack of effective selective harvesting and limited survey methods for population monitoring. Our findings suggest that prefectures' experience in hunting management influences the success of population reduction actions for sika deer.

Adult white‐tailed deer survival in hunted populations on public and private lands

AbstractEstimates of sex‐ and age‐specific survival are important for guiding population management decisions for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). However, differences in deer survival between public and private lands can exist and, if unaccounted for, may affect wildlife agencies' ability to effectively manage statewide and local deer populations. From 2014 to 2016, we radiocollared and monitored survival of 79 adult white‐tailed deer (141 deer‐years; 62 male, 79 female) on 2 public and 2 private properties in Alabama, USA. We assessed the effects of sex, age, and landownership type (i.e., public or private) on adult white‐tailed deer harvest and survival patterns using an information‐theoretic approach. Hunter harvest accounted for 77% of observed mortalities (n = 23/30), but harvest and survival rates varied by sex and age. Harvest and survival were similar between public and private property despite more restrictive hunting regulations for antlered deer on public areas. Similar harvest rates were likely due to self‐imposed, quality deer management (QDM) harvest strategies on private land that emulated the effects of a state‐mandated antler point restriction (APR) on public land. Our findings indicate survival rates of adult white‐tailed deer may be applicable across landownership types where state‐mandated harvest regulations with respect to males are more restrictive on public than private property, due to the popularity of QDM by private‐land deer hunters. However, where regulations are similar across landownership types (e.g., no state‐mandated APR), differences in harvest and survival rates may exist.

Species and physiographic factors drive Indian cucumber root and Canada mayflower plant chemistry: Implications for white-tailed deer forage quality

Nutrition is fundamental to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) management given its relationship to habitat carrying capacity and population productivity. Ecological Sites (ESs) are a United States federal landscape management unit of specific land potential due to unique soils, topography, climate, parent material, and perhaps deer forage nutritional value. We present results of a study that extends the use of ESs to inform white-tailed deer management by evaluating indicator plant chemistry in two spring forb species, Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana) and Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), across the northcentral Appalachians. We sampled spring forbs and underlying soils across two ESs: Dry, upland, oak–maple–hemlock hardwood forest (OMH) and Deep soil, high slope, northern hardwood forests (NHF). Plant elemental content, soil pH, and site aspect, slope and elevation were measured. Our results show that forb chemistry differs between species and within a species geographically. Indian cucumber root, as compared to Canada mayflower, has significantly higher Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, and Zn, and lower Mn. Canada mayflower in the NHF ES, versus OMH ES, was found to have significantly higher K, Mn, and B. Indian cucumber root in the NHF ES, versus the OMH ES, was found to have significantly higher Mg, Al, Fe, and Ca:P ratio but lower K. Linear discriminant analysis shows that plant tissue Mn was the best discriminator between species, and between ESs, Canada mayflower plant tissue Mn and Indian cucumber plant tissue P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn were best discriminators. Given that nutrition determines habitat carrying capacity, differences in forage nutrition between ESs may have different potentials to support deer. Forage nutrition is an important aspect of deer habitat conditions and carrying capacity, thus ESs are likely to support deer populations with different growth potential, which means that even if the same plant species occur in different ESs their nutritional value to deer may differ.

Life, Death and Teeth of Late Neolithic Sheep and Red Deer Excavated at Ness of Brodgar, Orkney Islands (UK)

ABSTRACT The faunal remains from the late Neolithic site of Ness of Brodgar on the Orkney Islands (UK) provide a unique opportunity to investigate past adaptations of animal husbandry strategies to the Northern island environment, as well as the potential management of red deer. In this study, sheep and red deer mandibles and loose teeth (dP4 & M3) from the Ness of Brodgar were studied to construct age-at-death profiles, and analysed for δ13C, δ15N and δ18O. The mortality profile showed that around half of the analysed sheep were slaughtered when they reached maturity (i.e. after 2–4 years of life), consistent with a husbandry regime targeted at meat production. The stable isotope evidence indicates seaweed consumption in winter by several sheep (domesticates), but not by red deer (wild, possibly managed fauna). This dietary difference may have resulted from anthropogenically mediated influences, e.g. restriction of red deer habitats to upland areas. The varying extent of seaweed consumption between individual sheep and between Neolithic Orkney sites suggests differences in sheep husbandry practices across Orkney, indicating that the adaptation to consume seaweed was not ubiquitous on Orkney in the Neolithic, and did not follow a linear development.

Plant-plant interaction by Aster leiophyllus affects herbivory by Sika deer, Cervus nippon.

Changes in leaf traits in response to plant-plant interactions affect feeding by insect herbivores. However, the effects of such changes on feeding by vertebrate herbivores remain unclear. We examined the effects of interactions of Aster leiophyllus collected in the field (growing with plants of the same species [aggregated] or with plants of different species [solitary]) or grown in pots (with another A. leiophyllus [intraspecific] or with Carex aphanolepis or Thalictrum baicalense [interspecific]) on the concentration of total phenolics in A. leiophyllus leaves and on sika deer (Cervus nippon) grazing preference in Japan. Deer were presented for 30s with the first A. leiophyllus leaf (from either aggregated plants or solitary plants) and then for 30s with the second leaf (solitary or aggregated, respectively). All of the deer presented first with a leaf from a solitary plant ate it, but when deer were presented first with a leaf from an aggregated plant, which had a higher concentration of total phenolics, 50% rejected or left it. About a third of the deer that had been presented first with a leaf from an aggregated plant subsequently rejected the leaf of a solitary plant. The leaves in the intraspecific interaction pot treatment had higher total phenolic concentration and were rejected more by deer than the leaves in the interspecific treatments. Plant-plant interactions affected deer preference, which was also influenced by learning. These results should improve our understanding of both plant grazing by deer and environmental management.

Red Deer in Lithuania: History, Status and Management

The history, current population status and (un)sustainable management of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Lithuania are reviewed on the basis of 57 publications and, additionally, analysis of data on numbers and hunting bag. After the extinction of the species at the beginning of the 19th century, red deer were reintroduced into the northern part of the country during World War I. Population re-establishment was further fueled after WWII by immigration from neighboring countries and local translocations. After the introduction of the Law on Hunting in 2002, which enabled hunting organizations to rent hunting grounds for longer than 10 years, local wildlife management strategies were targeted at increasing the number of animals. However, a scientifically-based target population size for C. elaphus, agreed by all major stakeholders, has still not been defined. In the last 20 years, population growth has been exponential, deer numbers in Lithuania being estimated as 68,816 individuals in 2021. An increase in the size of the hunting bag is necessary for the sustainable management of the species at the national scale and to avoid risks of over-population as observed elsewhere in Europe.

Rapid increase in sensitive indicator plants concurrent with deer management in an oak forest landscape

AbstractWildlife managers are implementing programs to reduce abundant populations of large herbivores, such as white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in eastern North America, with renewed research interest in understanding these programs' ecological effects. To examine plant community change following culling of white‐tailed deer in oak (Quercus spp.) forests in Ohio, USA, we measured browse severity on tree seedlings and cover of 43 deer‐sensitive, native indicator plant species across 20 years spanning pre‐ (2002–2015) and post‐ (2016–2021) deer culling periods. After culling halved deer abundance from 16.7 deer/km2 to 8.6 deer/km2, browse patterns on tree seedlings reversed from most seedlings exhibiting browse damage to most being undamaged. Cover of deer‐sensitive indicator plants increased 7‐fold in the 6 years after deer culling. Five of 6 indicator plant groups (e.g., Liliaceae) and 32 of 43 indicator species (74%) increased in cover after deer culling. Rhizomatous, clonally reproducing and early flowering (May–Jun) species were generally most responsive. The rapid increase in deer‐sensitive plants after deer culling in our study is among the fastest and largest reported among eastern North American studies. The plant community resilience observed in this study could partly relate to the relatively short duration (~10 yr) that deer populations were elevated before culling began, allowing persistence of local plant regeneration potential. Deer culling enabled a moderate deer population to coexist with a rising sensitive plant population.

Using Latent Profile Analysis to Evaluate Preferences for Chronic Wasting Disease Management Options among Different Hunter Types.

Simple SummaryExtensive research has explored hunters’ support for chronic wasting disease management, but many studies do not account for differences between types of hunters nor the tradeoffs hunters make in their decision-making about management alternatives. To address this, we used data from a survey of Texas hunters to create categories of hunters and explore their preferences for chronic wasting disease management based on these categories. Across five hunter categories, most hunters support disease management, although their attitudes towards Texas Parks and Wildlife Department varied. Different hunter categories had different preferences for chronic wasting disease management policies. Wildlife agencies can refer to our study findings to create preferred chronic wasting disease management policies and better communicate about them.Wildlife agencies seek to understand how hunters have and will respond to chronic wasting disease (CWD) management policies because of the vital role hunters play in deer management efforts. As such, dozens of studies have examined the human dimensions of CWD management and policy to assess stakeholder support for management alternatives and reveal what drives support. However, most of these studies have not (1) fully explored the heterogeneity that exists among hunters, and (2) accounted for the tradeoffs that agencies and hunters must make with regard to deer management and potential CWD policy alternatives. To address these deficiencies, we used latent profile analysis to create different typologies of hunters based on a survey of Texas hunters, then analyzed discrete choice experiments investigating the CWD management preferences of these typologies. Across five hunter typologies, we found strong overall support for CWD management, although attitudes towards Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were variable. Preferences for CWD management policies greatly differed between each hunter typology. Wildlife agencies can refer to our findings to better develop hunter-preferred CWD management policies and identify areas of compromise between typologies. Our results also provide agencies with insights regarding how to better communicate about CWD management with different types of hunters.

Hyperabundant black-tailed deer impact endangered Garry oak ecosystem floral and bumblebee communities

Garry oak ( Quercus garryana ) and associated ecosystems (GOAE) are culturally and ecologically significant landscapes home to over 100 Species at Risk. With less than 5% of their original extent remaining in Canada, GOAE require urgent attention to guide management of remnant habitats and protect them from ongoing cumulative threats. The loss of top predators has played a large role in a trophic cascade where hyperabundant black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus columbianus ) are reshaping plant and animal communities, even within protected areas. The impacts of deer browsing on plant communities is well-documented; however, the impact on pollinators that are essential for the restoration and conservation of GOAEs is still unknown. We tested the hypothesis that deer browsing has an indirect impact on bumblebee populations through their direct negative impact on floral communities. We surveyed deer density, floral communities, and bumblebee abundances across ten islands with differing levels of deer presence in the Salish Sea. We found that deer had a negative effect on the abundance of flowering plants, with an even greater effect on native species that bumblebees rely on for foraging. Deer presence had an indirect negative impact on female bumblebee abundances through the depletion of floral resources. Deer also had a negative impact on male bumblebee abundances, potentially caused by lowered colony success over the season on islands with less floral resources. These findings highlight the importance of immediate deer management to prevent the loss of native pollinators and further, potentially irreversible, ecological degradation of GOAEs.

Spatial behavior of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Northern Apennines: are we managing them correctly?

BackgroundThroughout their range, red deer are a well-studied species. In Italy, this species occupies two ecologically different ranges: the Alps and the Apennines. Although several studies have described the spatial behaviour of red deer in the Italian Alps, no data are available for the Apennine population.ResultsThe spatial behaviours of 13 deer from the Northern Apennines range were analysed for the first time using GPS-GSM telemetry from 2011 to 2017. Red deer displayed two coexisting strategies, i.e., migratory and stationary. In our sample, females tended to migrate more than males. We found a high level of interindividual variability in the date of migration/return, while each migratory deer was very conservative during the study period. The migration ranges were on average 12 ± 4.2 km from the resident range. Both migratory and resident deer displayed high site fidelity. No switch from the migratory to stationary strategy was observed for any deer during the study period; however, the period could have been too short to detect any switch. At the management level, over 18 management cycles occurred during the study period, and a spatial mismatch was found between deer range and management units (districts) in 38.9% (7) of the cases. Merging the districts belonging to each province to obtain an area of approximately 1000 km2 would partially address such spatial mismatch, reducing its occurrence to 22%.ConclusionsDespite the small sample size, these results can guide future management actions. However, an in-depth study with a larger sample size is required to better understand and manage the red deer Apennines population.

Estimating roe deer density using motion‐sensitive cameras in Switzerland

AbstractWildlife conservation and management need accurate methods for population survey and monitoring. Absolute counts of roe deer populations (Capreolus capreolus) are not possible, but the rapid advancement of motion‐sensitive camera technologies and new analytical approaches might potentially lead to more precise estimates at lower costs compared to traditional survey methods. We applied spatially explicit photographic capture–recapture models (SCR) in the Lake Geneva basin, Switzerland, from 25 April to 20 September 2018 to estimate roe deer densities in a pilot survey. We investigated the effect of survey duration and camera density on male roe deer density estimates to select the sampling design that produced density estimates with sufficient accuracy and precision at lower costs (i.e., material, fieldwork, data processing, and analyses). Males could be identified based on their antlers, which allowed us to apply SCR to estimate their density. Because females could not be identified individually, we inferred the overall roe deer density (adult and sub‐adult roe deer) based on the sex ratio estimated from motion‐sensitive camera photos. According to the results of sub‐sampling simulations and by taking into account the financial costs associated with fieldwork and analyses, we conclude that 20 motion‐sensitive cameras set over 20 nights (i.e., the 20/20 method) is a good compromise to provide reliable estimates of male roe deer density. Furthermore, studies estimating overall roe deer density using SCR and sex ratio estimates should be conducted from mid‐August to the end of October just after rutting season and the peak of yearling dispersal, when the movement rates of males and females, and hence their detection probabilities, are similar and when males are still carrying their antlers. This approach was successfully applied in 4 selected study areas with contrasting roe deer management regimes, resulting in overall roe deer density estimates ranging from 3.9 ± 1.3 (SE) deer/km2 forest to 22.5 ± 6.1 deer/km2 forest. Our study provides a valuable and cost‐effective approach using photographic SCR methodology and sex ratio information to calculate roe deer density estimates that can be used in management measures such as defining hunting quotas.

Resource selection of deer hunters in Georgia's Appalachian Mountains

AbstractWhite‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and hunters on 2 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) within the Chattahoochee National Forest of northern Georgia, USA, significantly declined in number from the 1980s to 2018. Managers were interested in understanding how they could manipulate hunter distribution according to deer management goals. To understand the spatial distribution of hunting pressure and factors driving hunter resource selection, we analyzed GPS tracking data from 58 deer hunters over the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 hunting seasons. We evaluated hunter selection on 3 spatial scales relative to elevation, slope, and distance from roads, trails, wildlife openings, deciduous forest, mixed forest, and evergreen forest. We incorporated covariates into 6 binary logistic regression models, plus a null model, within a used versus available framework. First, we compared hunter locations to available locations generated within the 2 WMAs. Elevation and distance to deciduous forest had the greatest effect on hunter selection, where hunters selected for lower elevations and closer proximity to deciduous forest. Second, we compared individual hunting bout locations to available locations generated within a buffer around the hunter's starting location with a buffer radius equal to the maximum distance they travelled from their starting location. At the bout scale, distance to wildlife openings and elevation were the most important drivers of hunter selection; hunters selected areas closer to wildlife openings and higher elevations. Third, we compared individual hunter stand locations (used) to randomly selected locations along the hunter's travel path (available). Only distance to roads and deciduous forest were significant in explaining hunter selection of stands. Hunters chose locations farther from roads and closer to deciduous forest relative to their travel paths. Mapping our WMA‐scale results revealed that only 5% of the total WMA area contained a greater relative probability of hunter selection compared to the probability of non‐selection. Our results suggest that vast refuge areas for deer likely existed on the WMAs during our study period. Manipulating hunter distribution is not necessary to aid in sustaining deer on either WMA at this time.

A model-based estimate of winter distribution and abundance of white-tailed deer in the Adirondack Park.

In the Adirondack Park region of northern New York, USA, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces) co-occur along a temperate-boreal forest ecotone. In this region, moose exist as a small and vulnerable low-density population and over-browsing by white-tailed deer is known to reduce regeneration, sustainability, and health of forests. Here, we assess the distribution and abundance of white-tailed deer at a broad spatial scale relevant for deer and moose management in northern New York. We used density surface modeling (DSM) under a conventional distance sampling framework, tied to a winter aerial survey, to create a spatially explicit estimate of white-tailed deer abundance and density across a vast, northern forest region. We estimated 16,352 white-tailed deer (95% CI 11,762–22,734) throughout the Adirondack Park with local density ranging between 0.00–5.73 deer/km2. Most of the Adirondack Park (91.2%) supported white-tailed deer densities of ≤2 individuals/km2. White-tailed deer density increased with increasing proximity to anthropogenic land cover such as timber cuts, roads, and agriculture and decreased in areas with increasing elevation and days with snow cover. We conclude that climate change will be more favorable for white-tailed deer than for moose because milder winters and increased growing seasons will likely have a pronounced influence on deer abundance and distribution across the Adirondack Park. Therefore, identifying specific environmental conditions facilitating the expansion of white-tailed deer into areas with low-density moose populations can assist managers in anticipating potential changes in ungulate distribution and abundance and to develop appropriate management actions to mitigate negative consequences such as disease spread and increased competition for limiting resources.

Expanding and Evaluating Public Satisfaction with Wildlife Governance: Insights from Deer Management in Indiana, USA

Wildlife agencies in North America desire to incorporate broader public interests into decision-making so they can realize the principle of governing wildlife in the public trust. Public satisfaction is a key component of good governance but evaluating satisfaction with wildlife management focuses on traditional user experiences rather than perceptions of agency performance. We draw from political science, business, and conservation social science to develop a multidimensional concept of satisfaction with wildlife management that includes agency performance, service quality, trust in the managing agency, and informational trust. We use data collected from a 2021 survey of Indiana residents to analyze the social and cognitive determinants of satisfaction with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) management. Quantile regression models revealed that respondents’ acceptability of management methods and deer-related concerns most strongly affected performance and quality components, whereas respondent characteristics mostly affected trust components of the index. Future research should associate satisfaction with key variables we did not fully capture including perceived control, psychological distance, and norms of interaction between wildlife agencies and the public. Expanding agency conceptions of public satisfaction represents a critical step toward public trust thinking and the practice of good wildlife governance in North America.

Exploring spatial nonstationarity for four mammal species reveals regional variation in environmental relationships

AbstractBroad‐scale ecological research on species distributions commonly presumes that the correlative relationships discovered are stationary over space. This is an assumption of most species distribution models (SDMs) that combine observations of species occurrence with environmental characteristics to understand current ecological correlates and to predict distributions based on those relationships. However, ecological relationships may vary spatially because of changes in the environment (i.e., resource availability) or the organism itself (i.e., local adaptation). Discovering this within‐species variation typically requires dense datasets over large geographic areas, which are now being provided by the recent proliferation of open‐access biodiversity occurrence records. Using nearly 4000 sampling locations from an open‐access, state‐wide camera‐trapping project, we explore the space‐varying effects of covariates on the distribution of four mammal species at two scales: region‐specific and fine resolution, with the latter estimated using spatially varying coefficients (SVC) models, to understand the scale of spatial variation in ecological relationships. Among the four species tested, the ecological relationships for two were best explained with the regional models, equivocal results for one species, while the SVC model had superior fit and predictive performance for the final species (white‐tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus). Spatial nonstationarity was more common in relationships with landscape composition characteristics, such as housing density, than in landscape configuration metrics, such as patch richness density. One of the most appealing results of an SVC approach is not only the improved predictions across large landscapes but also understanding how animals are responding to the environment differently at the management unit level. For example, we found that deer's spatially varying relationship with forest cover was best explained by an interactive effect of deer management units (i.e., differences in deer populations) and predator pressure. These findings lead to a new hypothesis about how deer may be differentially using forested environments across space and could be a promising area of future research. Given sufficient data, accounting for nonstationarity in SDMs can show large‐scale ecological patterns while also detecting local level changes in animal ecology in areas small enough that management or protection can be readily implemented.