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Seasonal movements and home ranges of white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota

Canadian Journal of Zoology
By: , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1139/Z09-076

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Abstract

Knowledge of movement patterns of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) inhabiting landscapes intensively modified by agricultural systems is important to the present and future understanding of deer ecology. Little information exists regarding daily and seasonal movements of white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota. Therefore, our goal was to determine movement patterns and home-range use of female white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota. From January 2005 to January 2007, 29 adult (>18 months) and 13 yearling (8–18 months) white-tailed deer were monitored for movement using radiotelemetry. We collected 2822 locations, calculated 76 home ranges, and documented 50 seasonal movements. Mean migration distance between summer and winter home ranges was 19.4 km (SE = 2.0 km). Mean 95% home-range size was 10.2 km2 (SE = 1.2 km2, n = 27) during winter and 9.2 km2 (SE = 1.0 km2, n = 49) during summer. Ambient temperature appeared to be a primary cause of seasonal migration. Additionally, movements exhibited by white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota were influenced by a highly fragmented landscape dominated by row crops and pasture or grassland.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Seasonal movements and home ranges of white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota
Series title Canadian Journal of Zoology
DOI 10.1139/Z09-076
Volume 87
Issue 10
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher Canadian Science Publishing
Contributing office(s) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Description 10 p.
Country United States
State South Dakota
County Brown County, Edmunds County, Faulk County, McPherson County
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