Movements Of White-tailed Deer Research Articles

Spatial overlap of gray wolves and ungulate prey changes seasonally corresponding to prey migration

BackgroundPrey are more vulnerable during migration due to decreased familiarity with their surroundings and spatially concentrated movements. Predators may respond to increased prey vulnerability by shifting their ranges to match prey. Moose (Alces alces) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are primary gray wolf (Canis lupus) prey and important subsistence species for Indigenous communities. We hypothesized wolves would increase use of ungulate migration corridors during migrations and predicted wolf distributions would overlap primary available prey.MethodsWe examined seasonal gray wolf, moose, and white-tailed deer movements on and near the Grand Portage Indian Reservation, Minnesota, USA. We analyzed GPS collar data during 2012–2021 using Brownian bridge movement models (BBMM) in Migration Mapper and mechanistic range shift analysis (MRSA) to estimate individual- and population-level occurrence distributions and determine the status and timing of range shifts. We estimated proportional overlap of wolf distributions with moose and deer distributions and tested for differences among seasons, prey populations, and wolf sex and pack affiliations.ResultsWe identified a single migration corridor through which white-tailed deer synchronously departed in April and returned in October–November. Gray wolf distributions overlapped the deer migration corridor similarly year-round, but wolves altered within-range distributions seasonally corresponding to prey distributions. Seasonal wolf distributions had the greatest overlap with deer during fall migration (10 October–28 November) and greatest overlap with moose during summer (3 May–9 October).ConclusionsGray wolves did not increase their use of the white-tailed deer migration corridor but altered distributions within their territories in response to seasonal prey distributions. Greater overlap of wolves and white-tailed deer in fall may be due to greater predation success facilitated by asynchronous deer migration movements. Greater summer overlap between wolves and moose may be linked to moose calf vulnerability, American beaver (Castor canadensis) co-occurrence, and reduced deer abundance associated with migration. Our results suggest increases in predation pressure on deer in fall and moose in summer, which can inform Indigenous conservation efforts. We observed seasonal plasticity of wolf distributions suggestive of prey switching; that wolves did not exhibit migratory coupling was likely due to spatial constraints resulting from territoriality.

Patterns of white-tailed deer movements in suburban Maryland: implications for zoonotic disease mitigation

AbstractUnderstanding the ecology of the often dense white-tailed deer populations in urban and suburban landscapes is important for mitigating a variety of conflicts that arise with dense human populations, such as issues surrounding zoonotic disease mitigation. We collared white-tailed deer in highly suburban areas of Howard County, Maryland with high-resolution GPS collars. Then, we created autocorrelated kernel density home ranges for broader land use analyses and concurrently used general additive models to characterize fine-scale hourly measures of speed, activity, and proximity to residential buildings. Suburban deer home ranges encompassed approximately 35% direct residential land, and an average of 71 and 129 residential properties were found within female and male core ranges, respectively. Sex, time of day, and day of year all influenced fine-scale speeds, activity levels, and proximity to residential property buildings. Deer moved into residential areas nightly, especially in winter, and exhibited bouts of increased speed and activity shortly after sunrise and sunset, with distinctive seasonal changes. We discuss how variation in home ranges and movements may influence population management success and explore year-round periods of increased risk of deer transporting ticks to residential areas. These findings focus our broad understanding of deer movements in suburban and urban landscapes to improve deer population management and to mitigate the spread of ticks into residential areas.

Seasonal movements of White-tailed Deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia

Nineteen adult female White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), fitted with very high frequency or global positioning system collars in the Rocky Mountains of southeast British Columbia, exhibited straight-line seasonal movements ranging from <4 km to 109 km. Movement was almost entirely along the floor of both low- and high-elevation valleys, although there was some use of mid-elevation mountainsides during early winter. Spatial locations of deer spanned 891–2234 m above sea level. Seasonal movements of these deer from a single winter range extended to two provinces, three national parks, one provincial park, non-park provincial Crown land, and private land. Deer populations with similar movement patterns may be most effectively managed by considering their extensive movements and coordinating approaches across jurisdictions.

Wildfire affects space use and movement of white-tailed deer in a tropical pyric landscape

Abstract Fire influences the distributions of cover and food resources for ungulates in frequently burned systems. Fire typically improves forage quality, and as a result, herbivores are often drawn to recently burned areas–a response termed the ‘magnet effect.’ Thus, fire can be an important tool for manipulating vegetation to benefit wildlife. However, most studies of ungulate responses to fire occur at broad temporal scales (multiple years post-burn), and the immediate effects of fire on ungulates are poorly understood. While conducting a study of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in southern Florida, we were able to evaluate a natural experiment investigating the effects of wildfire on the spatial ecology of deer. In May 2015, the Mud Lake Fire Complex burned approximately 10,250 ha in Big Cypress National Preserve. This area included portions of the home ranges of 19 of 79 deer that we were monitoring via GPS-telemetry and permitted a Before-After-Control-Impact design to investigate if fire altered the area of use and movement rates of deer at 1, 2, and 3 months following fire compared to the month before the fire. Relative to the white-tailed deer in the unburned areas, white-tailed deer in the burned areas increased movement rates, potentially because fire reduced concealment cover, resulting in increased predator detection and decreased predation risk. Counter to our predictions that fire would increase forage quality and result in decreased space use, white-tailed deer exposed to the fire increased their space use following the fire when compared to deer whose home range did not include burned areas. This appeared to be the outcome of balancing competing demands for site fidelity and to increase access to improved forage in the recently burned areas. In general, deer exposed to the fire increased their use of the burned area following the fire, but also maintained portions of their home ranges that were not burned. Our results provide a behavioral confirmation that white-tailed deer are attracted to recently burned areas and that they respond rapidly to the alteration of vegetation.

Modeling the impact of climate and landscape on the efficacy of white tailed deer vaccination for cattle tick control in northeastern Mexico.

Cattle ticks are distributed worldwide and affect animal health and livestock production. White tailed deer (WTD) sustain and spread cattle tick populations. The aim of this study was to model the efficacy of anti-tick vaccination of WTD to control tick infestations in the absence of cattle vaccination in a territory where both host species coexist and sustain cattle tick populations. Agent-based models that included land cover/landscape properties (patch size, distances to patches) and climatic conditions were built in a GIS environment to simulate WTD vaccine effectiveness under conditions where unvaccinated cattle shared the landscape. Published and validated information on tick life cycle was used to build models describing tick mortality and developmental rates. Data from simulations were applied to a large territory in northeastern Mexico where cattle ticks are endemic and WTD and cattle share substantial portions of the habitat. WTD movements were simulated together with tick population dynamics considering the actual landscape and climatic features. The size of the vegetation patches and the distance between patches were critical for the successful control of tick infestations after WTD vaccination. The presence of well-connected, large vegetation patches proved essential for tick control, since the tick could persist in areas of highly fragmented habitat. The continued application of one yearly vaccination on days 1-70 for three years reduced tick abundance/animal/patch by a factor of 40 and 60 for R. annulatus and R. microplus, respectively when compared to non-vaccinated controls. The study showed that vaccination of WTD alone during three consecutive years could result in the reduction of cattle tick populations in northeastern Mexico. Furthermore, the results of the simulations suggested the possibility of using vaccines to prevent the spread and thus the re-introduction of cattle ticks into tick-free areas.

Landscape effects on scales of movement by white-tailed deer in an agricultural–forest matrix

Understanding how organisms respond to landscape heterogeneity is foundational to landscape ecology. We characterized seasonal scales of movement of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus viginianus) in an agricultural–forest matrix using first-passage time analysis (FPT) for 62 GPS-collared individuals. We investigated whether those scales were driven by demographic or landscape features. We found FPT for each individual across all seasons was typically dominated by a peak in variance of FPT/area at scales (radii) from 425 to 1,675 m. These peaks occurred at scales consistent with seasonal space use. We observed additional lower magnitude peaks at larger scales (3,000–6,000 m) and small scales (25–150 m). Peaks at larger scales were associated with seasonal migrations and dispersal events. Small scale peaks may represent resting or foraging behavior. Female movements were organized at smaller scales than males in the spring/summer season. Models relating landscape features to movement scales suggest that deer perceive and move within the landscape differently as the roles of dominant land-cover types shift seasonally. During winter, configuration (interspersion/juxtaposition) of land-cover types is more important to deer than during spring/summer and fall. During spring/summer and fall, movement behavior may be dictated by reproductive and harvest activities.

Size of Home Ranges and Movements Determine Size and Configuration of Management Units and Potential Spread of Disease in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Abstract We modeled how variation in size of home ranges and annual movements of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in southern Texas altered ability to manage deer within various sizes of management units and discussed implications for spread of disease. The percentage of adult (≥3.5 years) males remaining on management units varied 98% of males would use management units of 1,000 km2 because their use of space would not result in use of adjoining management units. Migration of deer in northern latitudes resulted in 20% of the population using management units of 1,000 km2, which potentially could expose large areas (>25,000 km2) to disease because a greater percentage of deer would use adjoining management units compared to deer in southern latitudes. Our results are useful in determining...

Measuring Fine-Scale White-Tailed Deer Movements and Environmental Influences Using GPS Collars

Few studies have documented fine-scale movements of ungulate species, including white-tailed deer(Odocoileus virginianus), despite the advent of global positioning system (GPS) technology incorporated into tracking devices. We collected fine-scale temporal location estimates (i.e., 15 min/relocation attempt) from 17 female and 15 male white-tailed deer over 7 years and 3 seasons in Oklahoma, USA. Our objectives were to document fine-scale movements of females and males and determine effects of reproductive phase, moon phase, and short-term weather patterns on movements. Female and male movements were primarily crepuscular. Male total daily movements were 20% greater during rut () than postrut (). Female daily movements were greatest during postparturition (), followed by parturition (), and preparturition (). We found moon phase had no effect on daily, nocturnal, and diurnal deer movements and fine-scale temporal weather conditions had an inconsistent influence on deer movement patterns within season. Our data suggest that hourly and daily variation in weather events have minimal impact on movements of white-tailed deer in southern latitudes. Instead, routine crepuscular movements, presumed to maximize thermoregulation and minimize predation risk, appear to be the most important factors influencing movements.

Efficacy of a 15-Strand High-Tensile Electric Fence to Control White-tailed Deer Movements

Although, high-tensile electric fences (HTEF) have gained in popularity as a low-cost alternative to traditional fence designs, little research has focused on the effects of HTEF on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Our objectives were to: determine the efficacy of a HTEF to control deer movements and evaluate its influence on deer spatial dynamics. We conducted our study on the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Wildlife Unit located in Oklahoma, USA. An electric 15-strand, 2.5 m high fence was erected around the study area in 1992. We captured and ear-tagged 419 deer from 1993-2005 and fitted 35 of these deer (19 females, 16 males) with GPS collars during winter 1998-2004. Eight of 35 radio-collared deer (23%) crossed through the fence a total of 15 times and returned 13 times. Most fence crossings were at or near a hole or water gap (75%; n = 21) while 21.4% (n = 6) crossed through the electric strands. Twenty four of 419 (6%) ear-tagged deer were reported dead or harvested off of the property over 13 years. We found ≥13 deer core areas and ≥29 of home ranges bordered the fence. Core area and home range sizes of males and females were larger for deer associated with the fence compared to deer not associated with the fence. The percentage of deer FK core area and home range perimeters in common with the fence was 17 and 28%, respectively. It appears deer were tolerable of the fence and willing to attempt to cross at weak locations (i.e., holes and water gaps). If fully maintained, the 15-strand HTEF would have been a safe and effective alternative to more traditional and expensive fence designs.

Seasonal movements and home ranges of white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota

Knowledge of movement patterns of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) inhabiting landscapes intensively modified by agricultural systems is important to the present and future understanding of deer ecology. Little information exists regarding daily and seasonal movements of white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota. Therefore, our goal was to determine movement patterns and home-range use of female white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota. From January 2005 to January 2007, 29 adult (>18 months) and 13 yearling (8–18 months) white-tailed deer were monitored for movement using radiotelemetry. We collected 2822 locations, calculated 76 home ranges, and documented 50 seasonal movements. Mean migration distance between summer and winter home ranges was 19.4 km (SE = 2.0 km). Mean 95% home-range size was 10.2 km2(SE = 1.2 km2, n = 27) during winter and 9.2 km2(SE = 1.0 km2, n = 49) during summer. Ambient temperature appeared to be a primary cause of seasonal migration. Additionally, movements exhibited by white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota were influenced by a highly fragmented landscape dominated by row crops and pasture or grassland.

Effects of SpayVac® on Urban Female White-Tailed Deer Movements

High white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) densities in urban areas typically result in human-wildlife conflicts (e.g., deer—vehicle collisions, transmission of disease to humans, and vegetation damage). Controlling deer densities via fertility control generally is more acceptable than lethal removal in many urban areas and can reduce conflicts by stabilizing deer numbers. Contraceptive vaccines that use PZP (porcine zona pellucida) proteins as antigens have been used for many years and generally are regarded as safe and effective. Side effects of immunocontraception may be repeated estruses, an extension of the breeding season, and increased movements and ranges of immunized deer. We evaluated the effects of SpayVacTM, a long-lasting, singledose PZP vaccine on ranges and movements of female white-tailed deer at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center near Houston, Texas, USA. We captured, treated, and radiomarked 38 female deer with SpayVac (treatment) and injected 11 deer with a placebo (control). Fawning rates for treated and control deer were 0% and 78%, respectively. We observed no difference in the movements and ranges of SpayVac- versus placebo-treated deer: annual ranges (95% probability area) between treated (x̄x = 82 ± 7 ha) and control (x̄x = 77 ± 14 ha) deer, core areas (50% probability area) between treated (x̄x = 11 ± 1 ha) and control (x̄x = 11 ± 3 ha) deer, and daily movements treated (x̄x = 430 ± 1.5 m) and control (x̄x = 403 ± 3.6 m) deer. However, we did not evaluate the potential effect of immunized females on ranges and movements of male white-tailed deer. Increased ranges and movements may be more pronounced for males than for females.

Relationship of Autumn Hunting Season to the Frequency of Deer–Vehicle Collisions in Michigan

Deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) in the United States annually cause an estimated 29,000 human injuries, 200 human fatalities (Conover et al. 1995), and >$1 billion in property damage (Conover 1997). Total social costs of DVCs likely are greater due to human injury, trauma, absence from work, and additional costs of highway safety officers (Hansen 1983). More than 65,000 DVCs are currently reported annually in Michigan, USA (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts 2003), which is a 230% increase since 1982. The actual number of DVCs may be greater than reported due to suspected under-reporting of DVCs (Decker et al. 1990, Conover et al. 1995). Deer-vehicle collisions involving white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northern latitudes occur most frequently during autumn (Puglisi et al. 1974, Allen and McCullough 1976). Hunting has been implicated as a contributing factor to the autumn peak in DVCs because it increases movement of whitetailed deer (Etter et al. 2002). If hunting actually contributes to increased frequency of DVCs wildlife managers could be subjected to political pressure to alter hunting seasons or deer populations. A need to understand relationships between hunting and DVCs is necessary to evaluate harvest policies or efforts to reduce DVCs. Our objectives were to examine temporal patterns of DVCs in Michigan and to determine possible interactions between firearmhunting season and frequency of DVCs.

MOVEMENT OF FEMALE WHITE-TAILED DEER: EFFECTS OF CLIMATE AND INTENSIVE ROW-CROP AGRICULTURE

Movements (e.g., migration, dispersal) of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) vary greatly over the geographic range of the species. Therefore, region-specific, empirical information is needed to effectively manage deer populations. Movements of white-tailed deer have been well documented in forest dominated habitats; however, little information related to white-tailed deer movements exists in intensively (>80%) cultivated areas. From January 2001 to August 2002, we monitored movements of 77 (61 adult, 16 young) female white-tailed deer in southwest Minnesota. We collected 6,867 locations, calculated 130 home ranges, and documented 149 seasonal movements. Fifteen percent of deer were nonmigratory, whereas 35% were facultative migrators, and 42.5% were obligate migrators. Mean distance between summer and winter home range was 10.1 km. Temperature and snow depth had the greatest influence on initiation of seasonal migration, whereas crop emergence and harvest had minimal effects. Four deer (8%) dispersed a mean distance of 71.3 km with 1 adult female moving a straight-line distance of 205 km. All dispersing deer occupied a temporary staging area for approximately 1 month between previous winter and new summer ranges. Mean home range (95% use area) in winter (5.2 km2) was over twice as large as home range in summer (2.3 km2). Movements exhibited by white-tailed deer in southwest Minnesota were influenced by large annual fluctuations in climate and a highly fragmented landscape dominated by row-crop agriculture. We provide data beneficial to biologists managing northern populations of white-tailed deer in fragmented environments by detailing the relationship between climate, intensive agriculture, and deer movements.

Unusual white-tailed deer movements to a gas well in the central Appalachians

Wildlife Society Bulletin 2004, 32(3):983–986 Peer refereed The description of natural mineral licks used by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been well documented (Weeks 1978,Kennedy et al. 1995). Jones and Hanson (1985) suggested that oil, gas, and artesian well sites may function as artificial mineral sources for ungulates. However, little information is available characterizing the chemical properties or use of gas-well seepage by whitetailed deer (Jones and Hanson 1985). While conducting a white-tailed deer movement-ecology study in the central Appalachians of West Virginia during summer 2001, we observed unusual movements to a gas well by numerous deer, and here we describe our observations.

Movements of female white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) in relation to timber harvests in the central Appalachians

Deer movements in relation to timber harvests have not been studied within nonmigratory white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) populations. We compared home range and core area size and overlap, deer movements during timber harvests, and habitat use before and after harvests for deer associated and not associated with clearcuts. We radio-monitored 83 adult female deer pre- (3 months prior to), during, and post- (3 months after) timber harvest. Change in home range and core area size and overlap did not differ between control deer (home ranges comprised entirely of mature forest during all time periods) and treatment deer (≥1 telemetry location within a harvested stand during any time period). During timber harvests, treatment deer were located outside their pre-harvest home ranges more often than control deer and generally were located closer to clearcuts than in other time periods. During both the pre- and post-timber harvest time periods, deer used clearcut habitats (stands ≤5-years-old) in greater proportion than availability. Lack of significant changes in white-tailed deer movements before, during, and after timber harvest suggests habitat management aimed at attracting deer away from problem areas (e.g., areas with low regeneration success) or toward browse supplies during severe winters would likely be unsuccessful in the central Appalachians of West Virginia.

Survival and Movements of White-Tailed Deer in Suburban Chicago, Illinois

Management of high-density suburban deer populations requires knowledge of survival and movement to predict population trends. However, natural and human-induced influences on survival and movement of suburban deer are poorly understood. Therefore, we marked 208 (60 bucks, 148 does) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from forest preserves in Chicago, Illinois, USA (1994-1998). Seasonal and annual survivorship was >0.80 for 114 does and 13 bucks. Deer-auto collisions produced the highest mortality rates, 0.10 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.14) and 0.17 (95% CI 0.0 to 0.37). Spring dispersal for does was 7% (3 of 41) for fawns and 6% (5 of 83) for yearlings and adults; and for bucks it was 50% (8 of 16) for fawns and 7% (2 of 30) for yearlings and adults. All dispersals were <9 km, except for I parous doe that moved 33.9 km. Doe home ranges averaged 51 (95% CI 40.5 to 61.5), 26 (95% CI 22.0 to 30.0), and 32 (95% CI 19.6 to 44.4) ha for winter-spring, summer, and fall, respectively. A priori, we developed a set of 10 logistic regression models for suburban doe survival relative to home range size and traffic exposure indices. Using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC), the best models included covariates reflecting home range size and traffic exposure. Inference across a ≥90% confidence set of survival models indicated substantial spatial heterogeneity in mortality risk for suburban does. High survival and philopatry by suburban deer apparently contribute to their overabundance in metropolitan areas.

Effect of Hurricane Andrew on Survival and Movements of White-Tailed Deer in the Everglades

Movements and survival of 32 radiomarked white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus seminolus) were studied in the wet prairie of Everglades National Park (ENP) and Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) before and after the passage of Hurricane Andrew, a storm with sustained winds of 242 km/hr that bisected the study area on 24 August 1992. All radiomarked deer survived the hurricane. However, the hurricane, which struck during rut, appeared to reduce conception rates or fetus and fawn survival, or both, as evidenced by a 13-fold decrease in fawn production in 1993. Home range sizes, measured during January-March, did not differ (P > 0.05) among the years 1991, 1992 (prehurricane), and 1993 (posthurricane). Strong site fidelity in the wake of Hurricane Andrew was evidenced by the lack of difference (P > 0.05) in the distances between home range centers in prehurricane years (1991-92) and in pre- and posthurricane years (1992-93). Multiple response permutation procedure (MRPP) analyses revealed that although many deer altered (P < 0.05) their home range use distributions between 1992 (prehurricane) and 1993 (posthurricane), these changes were consistent with those observed in the same deer between 1991 and 1992 (prehurricane years). In the absence of extraordinary or prolonged rainfall, hurricanes appear not to exert direct detrimental effects on deer populations in the interior marshes of the Everglades, but they may depress productivity for an annual cycle.

Migration and Seasonal Range Dynamics of Deer Using Adjacent Deeryards in Northern Michigan

In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, forest management that seeks to integrate wildlife, recreation, and silviculture goals is complicated by the seasonal movements of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) between summer and winter ranges. From January 1992 to January 1995, we conducted a radiotelemetry study of seasonal range use by deer that winter in 2 important deeryards in the central Upper Peninsula. Distance, direction, and timing of seasonal movements between summer and winter ranges were largely independent of age class or sex (P > 0.05, n = 95). Yearly overlap of seasonal ranges for individual deer suggested that spatial use was traditional. Overlap of composite ranges of deer that occupied study area deeryards suggested that herds specific to deeryards were isolated spatially during winter but not other seasons. These findings suggest a secondary level of social structure reflecting the location of suitable winter range in the surrounding landscape. We suggest that managers use deeryard-summer range pairs that are connected by the migration tradition of discrete deer herds to design deer management units (DMUs) that are biologically meaningful. The surgical application of liberal hunting regulations in selected DMUs could then provide a landscape-level network of areas managed for the benefit of species and communities that are threatened by deer herbivory.

Wolf predation risk associated with white-tailed deer movements

The survival of 159 yearling and adult deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was monitored by telemetry during 282 spring and 219 fall individual migrations to winter deeryards in northeastern Minnesota. A disproportionate number of deer were killed by wolves (Canis lupus) during fall migration relative to the short time they spent migrating, but not during spring migration. Predation was also significantly greater for male and female yearlings and adult females outside deeryards during winter. Survival of 79 yearlings dispersing from natal ranges was high (1.00). It appears that changing climatic conditions combined with unfamiliar terrain and undetermined factors predispose migratory deer to wolf predation during fall. These findings support an earlier hypothesis that winter yarding is an antipredator strategy.

Snowmobile Effects on Movements of White-tailed Deer: A Case-study

The effects of snowmobile traffic on the winter home-ranges, movements, and activity patterns, of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), were studied during two winters in northern Wisconsin. There were no significant differences in home-range size and habitat use of the Deer in areas with and without snowmobiling. However, snowmobiling caused some Deer to leave the immediate vicinity of the snowmobile trail. Deer were most affected when they were within 61 m of the snowmobile trail.