Compensatory mortality in mule deer populations: Technical progress report. [Odocoileus hemionus]
The hypothesis of compensatory mortality is critical to understanding population dynamics of wildlife species. This research tested for compensatory mortality in the juvenile (fawn) portion of a mule deer population. In the fall of 1986, 60 fawns were telemetered on both the control and treatment sites of the Little Hills study area. Thirteen adult females also were telemetered which, together with 31 telemetered adults already present, brought the total instrumented population to 164 at the onset of winter. Experimental manipulation to test for compensation in the population was successful, with 18% of the population on the treatment area (328 animals) removed. Line transect estimates of deer groups/ha were 0.12 +- 0.030 (D +- SE) for the control area and 0.14 +- 0.028 for the treatment area, giving 1727 individuals on the control area and 1490 on the treatment area. Thus the number of deer was measurably decreased on the treatment area by the removal operation.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA). Dept. of Fishery and Wildlife Biology
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-85ER60297
- OSTI ID:
- 6333681
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/60297-4; ON: DE87011825
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Compensatory mortality in mule deer populations: Final technical report, January 1, 1985--December 31, 1988
Compensatory mortality in mule deer populations. Technical progress report