White Tail Deer Research Paper

The ultimate dream of nearly all outdoorsmen in the United States of America today is to kill a mature old whitetail buck, and these chances have been very few and far between in the state of Tennessee in the past. In order for a male whitetail deer to grow into, what some might call, a trophy buck, it will take a

In recent years the Whitetail population in South Dakota has greatly decreased due to a disease called EHD. Epizootic Hemorragic Disease (EHD) is a virus caused by a biting bug that affects deer herds mostly whitetails (Epizootic Hemorragic disease). The disease also referred to as blue tongue can occur in all kinds of animals in South Dakota but it mostly occurs in Whitetails. As a hunter it is very disappointing when you realize how many deer are dying from this disease. Thinking about all of the big bucks

The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is the most widely dispersed mammal in North America and is the primary reservoir species for SNV (University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources 2013). Deer mice are nocturnal and are found throughout all types of habitats ranging from forests to scrublands, making this a very ubiquitous species that primarily feed on grains and seeds(University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources 2013). However deer mice are very adaptable animals that can change their diets to suit their environment and their diet can consist of invertebrates, fungi, fruits, and green vegetation. The typical lifespan of deer mice is 2 years and they typically do not breed during the winter, although in times of abundant food supply and warm temperatures they may breed year round with liter size varying from three to six young SNV (University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources 2013).

In the eastern United States, the white-tailed deer is so abundant that it is destroying broad amounts of herbivory. Even after legal hunting season, deer are abundant even near cities. As the coyote migrated east, the largest and most abundant food source became the white-tailed deer. The western coyote weighs on average 20-40 lbs while the white-tailed deer can weight up to 140 lbs. To take advantage of this food source, a genetic change must occur in the coyote population. With the addition of wolf DNA, weight and muscling is added to the slim physique of the coyote. “The larger body size of northeastern coyotes is widely accepted as advantageous for hunting large prey"(Kirchman 92). The coyotes that bred with wolves became genetically favorable over coyotes of western decent. The “northeastern coyote” or “coy wolf” became the apex predator of the eastern region over that of the wolf or western coyote because it is able to live off of the most abundant food source of the region. Wolves can live off of deer also, but they are not as adaptable to industrialized areas as the coy wolf. This hybrid can also live off of more than just deer, but almost any small game in the eastern region. They can also scavenge from the scraps of humans such as garbage and pet

Van der Hoek D, Knapp AK, Briggs JM, and Bokdam J. 2002. White-tailed deer browsing on six shrub species of tallgrass prairie Great Plains Res 1:141.

Motion activated and infrared cameras were used to monitor deer activity in the areas of high or low wolf presence. Three images per trigger of each camera was taken. This information was gathered over a three-week period during deer season in June-August. The information recorded was compared with other studies including a trophic cascades study in the Rocky Mountains area.

Whitetail deer have come to be known as a keystone species, species known for affecting other organisms in an ecosystem. Deer are known as a keystone species in forest habitats such as in the Eastern United States because they are capable of destroying potential forest habitat of other organisms (McShea and Rappole, 1992). For example, deer have a negative impact on forest ecosystems by trampling and over browsing over vegetation, without creating any habitat for other native species. Throughout the eastern United States, the abundance of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has increased dramatically over the last century (Taggart and Long, 2015). Population increases could be due to increased habitat fragmentation from land development, reduced predators and/or hunting pressure. Individual deer ranges varied during seasonal times, deer movements are usually greatest during the peak breeding months from late fall through winter (Williams et. al, 2012). Regardless of the cause, high deer densities can have significant effects on plant communities such as plant decay and/or even death. Deer consume a large amounts of plant biomass (leaves, buds, flowers and fruits) and directly reduce the growth, reproduction, and survival of herbaceous and woody plant species (Shen et. al, 2016). The impacts of white-tailed deer on forests along the Eastern United

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have historical significance throughout the state of Ohio. Ohio’s ancient civilizations relied heavily on white-tailed deer for food, tools, and clothing. Deer were attracted to the region because of the agricultural practices of Native Americans such as growing corn and the prevalence of hard mast . The population of white-tailed deer was healthy prior to European settlement, as predators such as the North American cougar (Puma concolor), eastern timber wolf (Canis lupus lycaon), and native americans kept the population under control. There are an estimated 500,000 white-tailed deer in Ohio, the species can be found in all 88 counties. Populations today are managed by a regulated hunting season. (Hulbert 1910) The objective of the study is to determine the age, sex, and distinguishing characteristics of white-tailed deer that are in both areas

Although there are often comments in the media about the over abundant deer population, the historical analysis summarized in the figure above shows the population of white-tailed deer returned to about pre-European settlement numbers by the year 2000. Data for the trend in the white-tailed deer population from 2000 and earlier is based on Kert VerCauteren in The Deer Boom and the Wildlife Management Institute's 1984 book "Whitetail Deer Ecology and Management", updated using current harvest data and state population estimates. A summary of historic mule and black-tail population estimates. Read a peer reviewed research article demonstrating how public management decisions in California have contributed to the long term decine of the

The animals which were identified as a nuisance to agricultural crops were deer, raccoons and groundhogs (MacGowan et al., n.d). In some states, feral hogs would be added to that list, as well as coyotes (only in areas that grow melons). As noted by Sramek, (n.d.) “Coyotes are known for their particular fondness of watermelons and cantaloupes and will readily seek them as a food source” (Coyote diets, para. 3). We limited the project to whitetail deer, due to a readily available test field located in an area populated by whitetail deer; and whitetail deer are ranked as one of the leading animals causing crop damage (Belant, Seamans, & Tyson, 1998, January). Additionally, whitetails have shown the ability to habituate very quickly to many techniques used to scare them off (Hildreth, Hygnstrom, & Vercauteren, 2013). Given that whitetail deer are skittish

Hunting whitetail deer can be an exceptional challenge when you’re using a bow and arrow. It is a proven fact that if you’re using a bow a deer must be a great deal closer for the arrow to actually kill them because the arrow is so light weight that it drops quickly where the bullet from a rifle will travel farther before it drops. Odds are always on the deer’s side, because they have a wonderful sense of smell, their hearing is so much better, and eyesight is one hundred times more powerful than our very own. A deer can hear a twig snap from hundred yards or more away, and can tell exactly where it came from. The deer can smell our human scent no matter how

To achieve the full effect of managing for wildlife and timber, and individual must be very knowledgeable of both things. You must know how each species of wildlife is affected when harvesting timber in an area (Halterman, 1973). Wild turkeys have been known to use pine plantations that have been burned in the past 6 years, more than any forest type when nesting. These plantations are anywhere from 13 to 18 years old, with each of them being thinned at least one time (Smith, 1990). Studies in east-central Mississippi show that wild turkeys have almost doubled the home range area during the winter when compared to summer . Studies show that wild turkeys use pine plantations less during the winter and prefer

With the start of fall, both commercial and owner operator truck drivers must watch out for yet one more road hazard: deer. Fall is the start of their mating season which means they'll be especially active. While you may see them on the road at any time of the day, their road crossings mostly occur during the morning and evening hours. Other animals to watch for are elk and moose.

In the past few decades, white-tailed deer populations in North America have increased drastically. Due to some relief in predation—in correlation with changes in the environment—deer populations in many zones meet or exceed 10 deer per square kilometer, which is a much higher ratio than in the 1960’s and 1970’s (Côté 116). With an overabundance of deer, many problems arise; the diversity and success of habitats decline, agriculture suffers, more deer-vehicle collisions occur, and quite a few more issues appear. In order to maintain a healthy number of deer and reduce these issues, deer populations

In White-Tailed Deer Habitat Ecology and Management on Rangelands, written by Timothy Edward Fulbright & J. Alfonso Ortega-S. The habitat Requirements of white-tailed deer are not complex requirements. “The basic habitat requirements of white-tailed deer are food, cover, space, and water.”(3) With this book the Authors are bringing awareness to anyone who reads it. However, ”Our target audience includes landowners who want to improve deer habitat; range, wildlife, and other natural resource managers.”(3) According to the authors anyone can really help take care of the White-Tailed deer. As described in the book and further in my Research Essay deer play an important role in the ecosystem. Keeping and