Habitat use and seasonal range size of white-tailed deer in northcentral Minnesota

摘要: Seventeen radio-collared female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were monitored during 1968-74 in northcentral Minnesota to determine their use of plant communities. During January-October, the Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)-Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides)-Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) Community was used by more than expected. It probably provided best winter cover and a floristically rich community that high quality food. Home-range size largest April-May (f ? SE = 75 42 ha) smallest January (30 14 ha). J. WILDL. MANAGE. 51(3):644-648 Numbers increased rapidly 1930's 1940's after logging fires from 1900 early created large areas successional stages forest vegetation (Erickson et al. 1961). Changes structure composition now occur almost entirely or direct wildlife habitat improvement. Currently, supply wood is about twice demand (Spencer Ostrom 1979, Jakes Raile 1980). In some succession advancing faster it being set back has been responsible, part, for major decline numbers (Mech Karns 1977). To optimize management practices enhancement populations Minnesota, detailed movement studies are required. Such have conducted northeast (Irwin 1974; Wetzel 1975; Nelson 1979; Mech 1981, 1984), where forests strong boreal component (Ohmann Ream 1971). Fewer available widespread aspen-balsam fir dominated majority impacted manipulations. This paper reports on seasonal range portion Minnesota. Included data Kohn Mooty (1971), Waddell (1973), Pierce (1975), as well additional unpublished data. The objective study identify types most utilized so could be maintained. We thank E. W. Wroe, G. Wetzel, late B. Moyle, staff boys Thistledew Youth Corrections Camp assistance. D. M. Heisey C. A. Macken assisted with statistical analysis, R. L. Glazer soils analysis. Lake valuable comments earlier drafts this paper.