White-tailed Deer Management Research Articles

Effects of community-level grassland management on the non-target rare annual Agalinis auriculata

The objective of grassland management is to maintain keystone species, as well as species diversity, to promote a particular community structure, or to preserve specific ecosystem processes. Studies of grassland management rarely ascertain the effects on rare plant species, although conservation plans for rare herbaceous plants often recommend habitat management as well as restoration activities. Indeed, conservation biology has evolved from a relatively species-specific discipline into one more focused on larger scale issues such as ecosystem function, community composition and habitat restoration. Few studies have tested whether species of concern are adequately managed with a community or ecosystem-level approach. In this study, we evaluate whether community-level management of white-tailed deer and woody brush improves the viability of the rare annual plant species, Agalinis auriculata (Earleaf false foxglove; Orobanchaceae). Reducing deer browse and removing brush each positively affect plant vital rates. Brush removal increases the proportion of plants that reach the largest size class. Reducing deer browse increases the fertility of plants, particularly those in the largest size class. We report on demographic matrix models created with data from five populations of A . auriculata studied across 4 years. We find that both management activities positively affect the non-target plant species and are, in fact, necessary for A. auriculata to persist. Conservation of A. auriculata at our study sites requires both reducing the density of white-tailed deer and brush removal. Our study demonstrates that management at the community and ecosystem levels can be compatible with conservation goals at the species and population levels.

Importance of balsam fir as winter forage for white-tailed deer at the northeastern limit of their distribution range

Interspersion of dense coniferous stands that offer cover and more open mixedwood stands providing food resources has been recommended for the management of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) wintering yards in northeastern North America. On Anticosti Island, at the northeastern limit of this deer's distribution range, previous studies have shown continuous decline of deciduous browse. As native balsam fir (Abies balsamea) stands progressively shift to white spruce (Picea glauca), the persistence of the deer population will increasingly depends on its capacity to use white spruce stands. To provide insights into deer responses to long-term changes in their habitat, we investigated resource use along a gradient of expected habitat quality for deer. Stand use increased with the proportion of balsam fir, reaching an asymptote when > 40% of the stand's basal area was composed of fir. Stand use does not appear to be related to snow interception since sinking depth was lower in white spruce forests. Deer using white spruce stands mainly consumed balsam fir (72%), whereas spruce represented only 17% of their diet. The consumption of arboreal lichens increased from 6% in January to 21% in March. The observed patterns of habitat use and the composition of the winter diet confirm the dependence of deer on balsam fir in winter and give additional support to the hypothesis that litterfall from balsam fir provides an alternate food source sustaining high deer density in a boreal forest without predators.

Uncertainty in age-specific harvest estimates and consequences for white-tailed deer management

Age structure proportions (proportion of harvested individuals within each age class) are commonly used as support for regulatory restrictions and input for deer population models. Such use requires critical evaluation when harvest regulations force hunters to selectively harvest specific age classes, due to impact on the underlying population age structure. We used a stochastic population simulation model to evaluate the impact of using harvest proportions to evaluate changes in population age structure under a selective harvest management program at two scales. Using harvest proportions to parameterize the age-specific harvest segment of the model for the local scale showed that predictions of post-harvest age structure did not vary dependent upon whether selective harvest criteria were in use or not. At the county scale, yearling frequency in the post-harvest population increased, but model predictions indicated that post-harvest population size of 2.5 years old males would decline below levels found before implementation of the antler restriction, reducing the number of individuals recruited into older age classes. Across the range of age-specific harvest rates modeled, our simulation predicted that underestimation of age-specific harvest rates has considerable influence on predictions of post-harvest population age structure. We found that the consequence of uncertainty in harvest rates corresponds to uncertainty in predictions of residual population structure, and this correspondence is proportional to scale. Our simulations also indicate that regardless of use of harvest proportions or harvest rates, at either the local or county scale the modeled SHC had a high probability (>0.60 and >0.75, respectively) of eliminating recruitment into >2.5 years old age classes. Although frequently used to increase population age structure, our modeling indicated that selective harvest criteria can decrease or eliminate the number of white-tailed deer recruited into older age classes. Thus, we suggest that using harvest proportions for management planning and evaluation should be viewed with caution. In addition, we recommend that managers focus more attention on estimation of age-specific harvest rates, and modeling approaches which combine harvest rates with information from harvested individuals to further increase their ability to effectively manage deer populations under selective harvest programs.

White-Tailed Deer Management Practices on Private Lands in Arkansas

Development of management plans for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) requires that states examine how multiple biological and regulatory factors (i.e., season timing, hunting access, bag limits) influence populations. In the southeastern United States, harvest restrictions often exceed state regulations on private lands. Thus, better information regarding harvest management on private lands is needed by wildlife agencies when developing management plans. We received responses from 1,184 white-tailed deer hunting camps registered in the Arkansas Deer Camp Program (DCP) to evaluate management practices used on private lands in Arkansas. We found that 60% of respondents used harvest restrictions in excess of state regulations. Most differences in harvest restrictions were attributed to involvement in Quality Deer Management (QDM) programs. Harvest restrictions also differed by property ownership class and deer management unit (DMU). Hunting camps were more likely to be under QDM when working with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) biologists. Camps under QDM were more likely to use restrictions limiting harvest of adult males. Aggregate effects of localized management (e.g., age- and sex-specific harvest) may influence population structure over broad geographic scales. Therefore, comprehensive management planning and evaluation of white-tailed deer harvest regulations must consider the multitude of harvest practices implemented by private land managers. We recommend that state wildlife management agencies conduct population studies to determine impacts of localized harvest restrictions on population dynamics occurring at broader geographic areas.

Density-dependent recruitment patterns in white-tailed deer

Proper management of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations is important because of the popularity of this species for sport hunting and the ecological and economic damage deer can cause. Managers and biologists have relied for decades on relatively inexpensive and easily collected data from hunter-harvested deer to provide information for making harvest management decisions. We obtained long-term (15–31 years duration, median = 26 years) data sets for 9 populations in the southeastern United States that spanned several physiographic provinces and a wide range of densities (3–32 deer/km2) that varied by a factor of 1.67–5.50 within populations over the study period. Recruitment models using a simple quadratic expression related fawn density to adult female and total adult densities. Models included densities lagged 1 and 2 years in addition to contemporary data. Recruitment models indicated that density-dependent dynamics were operative for 8 of the 9 populations. While the 2-year lag was the preferred context for these models, the 1-year lag was nearly as strong, indicating that recruitment responded to changes in density more quickly than physical condition. Validations using data from 3 additional, independent populations showed that predicted and observed densities were highly correlated (r = 0.45–0.96). That one population on exceptionally poor habitat did not show a significant density-dependent response for recruitment may suggest that some habitats are too poor for such a process to be operative or detectable. The efficacy of time lags also should serve to caution managers not to look for immediate responses in herds. Although the populations examined in this study provided long-duration data that undoubtedly captured a great deal of stochasticity resulting from density-independent factors, significant density-dependent relationships were still detected.

POPULATION DENSITY–PHYSICAL CONDITION RELATIONSHIPS IN WHITE-TAILED DEER

Abstract Management of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations is important because of the popularity of this species for sport hunting and the ecological and economic damage deer can cause. Managers traditionally have collected data from hunter-harvested deer to provide information for making these harvest management decisions. We tested for predictive relationships between these data and density using long-term (15–31 years duration, median = 26 years) harvest data for 9 populations in the southeastern United States that spanned several physiographic provinces and a wide range of densities (3–32 deer/km2) that varied by a factor of 1.67–5.50 within populations over the study period. Mean annual harvest for these populations ranged from 265–5,242 animals (median = 626). We tested 8 physical and 3 recruitment measures commonly collected on harvested deer for their relationship to reconstructed herd density estimates using correlation and linear regression models. Yearling male dressed body ...

Winter habitat selection by white-tailed deer on Anticosti Island 2: relationship between deer density from an aerial survey and the proportion of balsam fir forest on vegetation maps

Determining at what scale to operate and how much cover is needed are important questions for winter habitat management of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780), through logging. We used binary cover maps (reclassified forest vegetation maps) and windows of different sizes (0.2 km × 0.2 km, 0.5 km × 0.5 km, 1 km × 1 km, 2 km × 2 km, and 3 km × 3 km) to describe the relationship between deer density from an aerial survey and the proportion of balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) P. Mill., forest (BF) cover in a 270-km2 block on Anticosti Island, Quebec. Maximum white-tailed deer densities reached were quite similar (31–34 deer/km2) irrespective of window size, except for the 3 km × 3 km window for which maximum density remained half lower. Density increased with the amount of BF cover and then reached a plateau above 60% or 70% (two smaller windows) or decreased above 50% or 60% (1 km × 1 km and 2 km × 2 km windows). Results confirm goals previously used for habitat management of deeryards. This new method allows greater flexibility in research applications for describing density–cover relationships because both scale and proportion of cover can be analysed simultaneously.

MOVEMENT BEHAVIOR, DISPERSAL, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCALIZED MANAGEMENT OF DEER IN A SUBURBAN ENVIRONMENT

We examined the potential for localized management of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to be successful by measuring movements, testing site fidelity, and modeling the effects of dispersal. Fifty-nine females were radiomarked and tracked during 1997 through 2000 in Irondequoit, New York, USA, a suburb of Rochester. We constructed home ranges for those deer with ≥18 relocations/season. Fifty percent minimum convex polygons (MCP) averaged 3.9 (SE = 0.53) ha in the summer and 5.3 (SE = 0.80) ha in the winter. Deer showed strong fidelity to both summer and winter home ranges, and 30 of 31 females showed overlap of summer and winter home ranges. Annual survival was 64%; the major cause of mortality was deer–automobile collisions. Average annual dispersal rates were <15% for yearlings and adults. Using matrix population modeling, we explored the role of female dispersal in sustaining different management objectives in adjacent locales of approximately 1,000 ha. Modeling showed that if female dispersal was 8%, culling would have to reduce annual survival to 58% to maintain a population just under ecological carrying capacity and reduce survival to 42% to keep the population at one-half carrying capacity. With the same dispersal, contraception would need to be effective in 32% of females if the population is near carrying capacity and 68% if the population is at one-half of carrying capacity. Movement behavior data and modeling results lend support to the use of a localized approach to management of females that emphasizes neighborhood-scale manipulation of deer populations, but our research suggests that dispersal rates in females could be critical to long-term success.

WHITE-TAILED DEER IMPACT ON THE VEGETATION DYNAMICS OF A NORTHERN HARDWOOD FOREST

Considerable controversy has arisen over the management of white-tailed deer in eastern landscapes where there is evidence of damage to forest vegetation, crops, and wildlife habitat attributable to deer. We examined the impact of 4, 8, 15, and 25 deer/ km 2 on herbaceous layer abundance and tree seedling density, height development, species composition, and diversity for 10 yr in a repeated-measures randomized-complete-block experiment at four replicate cherry-maple forest sites in northwestern Pennsylvania, USA. At each 65-ha site, deer were placed in 13- or 26-ha fenced enclosures in which the landscape composition and forage production of a forest managed on a 100-yr rotation was simulated by clear-cutting 10% of each area and thinning 30%. Vegetation was sampled 0-1, 3, 5, and 10 yr after treatment (YAT). We analyzed vegetative treatment responses separately in each silvicultural treatment. Time was an important factor mediating responses at all deer densities. Rubus spp. abundance in all silvicultural treatments and the density of striped maple (STM) in clearcuts and birch (BI), American beech (AB), and red maple (RM) in thinnings showed negative trends with increasing deer density. As deer density increased, we found negative linear trends in the height of BI, RM, and AB in clearcuts; in the height of AB, RM, and STM in thinnings; and in the height of AB and RM in uncut stands. Species richness showed a negative linear trend with increasing deer density in all silvicultural treatments. Conversely, species avoided by deer or resilient to deer browsing increased with in- creasing deer density. Percent cover of ferns, grasses, and sedges showed positive linear trends with deer density in clearcuts and in thinnings. The percentage of plots dominated by black cherry (BC) increased with increasing deer density in cut and uncut stands. The net result of increased deer impact was an altered trajectory of vegetation development dominated by species avoided by deer or resilient to deer browsing. Negative effects on vegetation became significant at deer impact levels well below those observed in many eastern forests. Moreover, species not browsed or resilient to browsing may have indirect effects on vegetation development through plant-plant interactions and on wildlife habitat quality for small mammals, birds, and deer. Managing these impacts is important as pressures to harvest and fragment eastern forests accelerate.

Effect of Harvest Success on Hunter Attitudes Toward White-Tailed Deer Management in Pennsylvania

This study examined effects of harvest and subjective evaluations of the state's deer herd on hunter satisfaction with white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) management in Pennsylvania. Hunters were classified as rifle, archery, or muzzleloader through a probability model based on prior experience. Backward hierarchical log-linear analysis was used to model satisfaction with deer management for the three groups. Successfully harvesting deer was significant in predicting satisfaction with deer management among the three hunting groups. Different models explained satisfaction for each type of deer hunter. Harvest was a main effect for archery and a partial-order effect for rifle and muzzleloader deer hunters. Harvest success was directly related to satisfaction with management for archery deer hunters. In the rifle deer-hunter model, harvest success was associated with perception of balanced harvest, which was related to satisfaction with deer management. Harvest success was associated with perceptions of herd size and seeing deer in the muzzleloader model, and seeing deer directly related to satisfaction with deer management. Differing relationships between harvest success and satisfaction with management for different types of hunters may offer understanding into hunter opposition to management programs.

DeerKBS: a knowledge-based system for white-tailed deer management

Recognizing that wildlife managers are facing many challenges (e.g. increased numbers and involvement of stakeholders) and decisions must be made on conflicting expectations and limited data, we developed a knowledge-based system for white-tailed deer management (DeerKBS) to assist wildlife managers in making informed decisions. This system employed wildlife managers’ expertise and knowledge, and standardized decision-making procedures for management. A ‘top down’ technique was used to divide the task of deer management decision-making process into four subtasks: (1) deer population evaluation, (2) deer habitat evaluation, (3) social carrying capacity evaluation, and (4) environmental evaluation. Each subtask was represented by a decision tree, developed and tested separately. The ‘top-down’ technique offers the flexibility to include more information when available. DeerKBS is an effective communication tool for presenting the decision-making process to stakeholders, and an educational tool to help users understand the complexity of the management decision-making process.

Management of white-tailed deer in Chicago, Illinois forest preserves

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County culled 2,826 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), from 16 forest preserves in winters 1992-1998, including 1,786 from the 10 km2 Waterfall Glen Preserve. Methods of culling included sharpshooting or capture with a rocket-net followed by euthanasia via a penetrating captive bolt. Operational field costs were $119 to $310/deer. Population reconstructions indicated a decrease in deer population density at Waterfall Glen Preserve from 751 deer in 1992 to 55 deer in 1998. This reduction resulted in a significant decrease (r=0.9, P=0.001, n=7) in reported deer-vehicle collisions on adjacent roads from 30 in 1992 to 4 in 1998. Mean plant height, percent vegetative ground cover, and number of plant species increased (P&lt; 0.0001) among years in six forest preserves experiencing deer population control. Culling was successful at reducing deer population density, decreasing deer-vehicle collisions, and assisting with the restoration of native ecosystems in DuPage County Forest Preserves.

White-tailed deer management options model (DeerMOM): design, quantification, and application

The deer management options model (DeerMOM) is a computer simulation model designed to assess the effects of management options on population size, sex and age structure of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus). In this model, we grouped deer into three age classes: fawn, yearling, and adult. Reproductive rates and fetal sex ratios were age-specific, while natural and harvest mortality rates were both age- and sex-specific. DeerMOM was parameterized to represent the deer population in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA. Effects of winter severity were incorporated into the model. Population estimates derived from annual pellet group surveys were used to validate the model. Different management options were evaluated using two criteria: a quantity goal (number of deer) and a quality goal (percentage of antlered bucks in the deer population). Simulation results indicated that current management practices (with a high rate of buck harvest) resulted in high deer numbers with a low percentage of antlered bucks. Under the condition of high buck harvest rate, increasing doe harvest did not achieve both the quantity and the quality goals simultaneously. Moderate harvest of both sexes would control population growth and increase the percentage of antlered bucks. The simulations also showed that winter weather conditions and doe harvest shaped deer population trends but buck harvest determined the percentage of antlered bucks. Our findings indicated that quality deer management objectives can be reached only by lowering buck harvest rates while simultaneously increasing the doe harvest. The best option for achieving both the quantity and the quality goals was moderate harvest of bucks and does without sex bias.

Incorporating Farmers' Attitudes into Management of White-Tailed Deer in New York

Incorporating Farmers' Attitudes into Management of White-Tailed Deer in New York

Influence of Light and Weather on Observability of Iowa Deer

The individual and combined effects of light intensity and various weather phenomena on numbers of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) seen per observation were correlated by multipleregression analysis using the model with deer sighted (adults, juveniles, anterless, antlered, and unknown) versus sunset or sunrise time, time of sighting, location, lunar phase, minimum daily temperature, maximum daily temperature, wind direction, wind velocity, nebulosity, type of precipitation, amount of precipitation, type of ground cover, and amount of snow on the ground. Observations were made from a blind during crepuscular periods from September through May. A significant relationship (P < 0.05) to the number of deer sighted per sighting existed with the effects of: time of sunrise, time of sunset, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, wind direction, wind velocity, and ground cover. These effects were not the same for all age and sex classes, and in some instances, different effects were observed for the dawn and dusk periods. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(2):220-228 The influence of daily light intensity and various weather phenomena on deer movement has been cited by several authors (Darling 1937, red deer; Linsdale and Tomich 1953, mule deer; Loveless 1964, mule deer; Dasmann 1954, black-tailed deer; Moen 1968, white-tailed deer; Buss and Harbert 1950, black-tailed deer). Because of the current emphasis on the esthetic aspect of wildlife and on the intensive management of white-tailed deer in many states it is appropriate to investigate what environmental factors influence the chances of one observing deer in their natural habitat. To obtain this information, various light and weather criteria thought to influence deer activity were considered as one aspect of a general study (Zagata 1972) of deer movement in the intensively farmed region of north-central Iowa. Deer were observed from December 1969 through May 1972 to provide basic information for deer management in north-central Iowa. The objectives were to: (1) determine if light intensity and various selected weather parameters were related to the number of deer sighted during crepuscular periods, (2) secure data useful for effective deer management. Thanks are due the Iowa State Conservation Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife for funding the study and to J. Anderson of the Iowa State Conservation Commission for his field assistance. Special acknowledgment is given to H. Clausen and L. Yerxa for their help in preparation of this manuscript.

Mobility of White-Tailed Deer in South Texas

The movements of white-tailed deer in southern Texas were studied from 1962-1967. Sixtytwo deer were live-trapped, individually marked, and their movements observed and plotted on aerial photomaps of the study area. The average observed maximum movement was 1.39 miles with 9 movements exceeding 2 miles. The objective of this study was to determine the size of area necessary for management of white-tailed deer as resident wildlife in the chaparral brush type habitat of southern Texas. Deer movements and home ranges have been studied in the Edwards Plateau by Hahn (1945), Hahn and Taylor (1950), and Thomas et al. (1964), and on the Gulf Coastal Prairie (Welder Wildlife Refuge) by Michael (1965); however, vegetative and topographic heterogeneity make studies in other habitats imperative. The findings of this study are supported by 163 sightings, 7 hunter kill reports, and 4 carcass discoveries of marked deer.