Winter habits of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginiana).

Abstract

The objective of the study was to establish the habits of the white-tailed deer in the Carp Creek Gorge area near UMBS near Douglas Lake as they are related to winter conditions. The activities of the deer during January 1974 are compared to the winter activities of the deer in the same area in January 1973 as studied by Steven Burr (1973). A comparison of the deer activity during the two winters seeemed appropriate as in 1974 there was twelve to sixteen inches of snow in the open areas versus only a few inches of snow with lots of thawing in 1973. It was expected that the heavier snow would cause the deer to congregate more in the cedar lowlands for yarding areas. Further objectives were to add infomration where possible to the feeding habits and food condition from observations in the area. It was postulated that changes in weather and snow conditions might produce noticeable changes in deer movements and habits. It was not expected that there would be enough evidence to determine winter deer populations but there is room for some speculation on the number of deer here and how far they range.