Effect of density reduction on overwinter survival of free-ranging mule deer fawns

摘要: Understanding how overwinter survival of fawns changes as a function density deer is critical relation for managing mule (Odocoileus hemionus) populations. We examined change in response to intentional reduction by radiotracking on control and treatment areas. Deer the area was lowered about 75%, mostly from antlerless harvests December. There were 7 years pretreatment data, 4 harvest, 3 more posttreatment monitoring. Fawn rate during winters after averaged 0.16 higher (P = 0.001) than area. After lowered, body mass November-December 0.8 kg < 0.001). A parallel decline began 2 initiation This unexpected cause unknown, which left unanswered what differences fawn size between areas might have been if population remained high.