Seasonal Activity Patterns of White-Tailed Deer in Eastern South Dakota

摘要: Seasonal activity patterns of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were studied intensively along a 15-mile stretch the Big Sioux River and less on an expanse 1,100 square miles in central eastern South Dakota from February, 1964, to March, 1966. Thirty-three marked individually with ear tags, streamers, collars, 461 locations recorded. Five these tracked by radio-telemetry. For adult yearling deer, average total area ranges were: summer, 1.0 + 0.5; fall, 0.7 ? 0.3; winter, 2.7 1.7. same maximum linear 1.7 1.8 0.4; 2.5 0.9. No significant differences (P> 0.05) found for or between seasons, among adults, yearlings, fawns winter. Total observed more than one season averaged 12.0 2.2 males, 11.1 2.1 females. These not significantly different (P > 0.05). In early January, discrete herds up 80 animals began form. Some wintered fairly well-defined areas, but 30 percent population remained widely scattered all winter moved 12 herds. Instability ruled out use herd counts as accurate index. When thaw occurred March April, dispersed several directions at varying rates predominance northward movements its tributaries. Average distance summer six was 14.4 1.5 miles. The partially migratory that it used study withdrew small part home-range pattern included sub-areas which provided habitat needs. requirements disturbed, depleted, changed, new sub-area. Data this indicated management units, if they could be administered effectively, might better based natural drainages counties. history populations parallels much Great Plains region (Cook 1945). Before 1900, destruction unregulated hunting reduced numbers near extinction. About 1925, aided protection hunting, remnant grow reappear parts their old range. 1947, four counties east Missouri 1A joint contribution Department Game, Fish Parks, State University, U. S. Bureau Sport Fisheries Wildlife, Wildlife Management Institute through Cooperative Research Unit supported Federal Aid Restoration funds, Project W-75-R-6, 7, 8. 2 Present address: Unit, Columbia. 3Present Northern Prairie Center, Jamestown, North Dakota. 420 opened first 26 years (Popowski 1962:2), 1959 regular annual begun 44 A growing both hunters has created need intensive herd. This conducted 1966, provide basic information objectives to: (1) determine distribution extent daily seasonal key areas various types Dakota; (2) identify principal factors influencing movements; (3) feasibility using census assistance D. R. Progulske planning implementing content downloaded 207.46.13.127 Wed, Oct 2016 04:30:02 UTC All subject http://about.jstor.org/terms ACTIVITY OF DEER IN SOUTH DAKOTA * Sparrowe Springer 421 reviewing manuscript is gratefully acknowledged. Thanks are due employees Parks advice aid reporting sightings. C. Drewien, L. Drieslein, G. Geis, W. K. Pfeifer, Mrs. helped field work.