PHYSICAL AND REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUPPLEMENTALLY-FED WHITE-TAILED DEER HERD
PHYSICAL AND REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUPPLEMENTALLY-FED WHITE-TAILED DEER HERD
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DOI：
10.2307/3808640
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发表时间：
1982-01-01
影响因子：
2.3
通讯作者：
VERME, LJ
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
OZOGA, JJ;VERME, LJ
Physiologic attributes and behavioral response of white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) in a 252-ha Upper Michigan [USA] enclosure were monitored during a 5-yr period as the population increased from 23 to 159 animals supported by supplemental feeding. The ration, supplied ad lib, augmented the natural diet except in winter, when deer ate it almost exclusively. Seasonal feed consumption was lowest at spring greenup, increased in late summer as natural forage matured and was highest in autumn and winter. As the herd increased, deer ate progressively more of the ration per animal from July-Nov. Availability of summer forage gradually decreased with higher herd density. Autumn forage supply varied annually depending upon prevailing weather. Compared to prefeeding years, better nutrition accelerated deer body growth and shortened the time to physical maturity. Except for yearling bucks, antler development improved and casting dates were delayed. In utero productivity of yearling does doubled with supplemental feeding and increased by 50% among 2.5-yr-olds and 21% for older does. None of the doe fawns bred. As the population grew, harassment by bucks during the rut apparently caused an energy deficiency which lowered the productivity of yearling does. Yearling does usually conceived a preponderance of male fawns. Under the best nutritional circumstances, older does regularly conceived more females. Postnatal fawn mortality gradually increased and became considerable at highest density, particularly among primiparous mothers. Doe territoriality and limited suitable fawning space probably were responsible for lowered maternal success. A marked improvement in physiological parameters after the herd was reduced drastically suggested that the aberrations observed under peak populations were density dependent. When properly conducted, supplemental feeding provides a feasible method maintaining a reasonably large deer herd in good physical condition with minimal damage to the range. Cost factors and recommended procedures for such programs are discussed.
