Study

Habitat use by white-tailed deer on cross timbers rangeland following brush management

  • Published source details Leslie Jr D.M., Soper R.B., Lochmiller R.L. & Engle D.M. (1996) Habitat use by white-tailed deer on cross timbers rangeland following brush management. Journal of Range Management, 49, 401-406.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Remove vegetation using herbicides

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation

Use prescribed burning

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Remove vegetation using herbicides

    A randomized, replicated, controlled study in 1988–1989 of an upland hardwood forest with tallgrass prairie in Oklahoma, USA (Leslie Jr. et al. 1996 same experimental set-up as Boggs et al. 1991 and Lochmiller et al. 1991) found that applying herbicide increased forest use by female, but not male, white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus. Female deer preferentially selected herbicide-treated plots over untreated plots in spring, summer and autumn, but there was no difference in winter. Males showed no preference between treated or untreated plots (see original paper for full results). Four blocks, each consisting of five 32-ha plots, were studied. In each block, the herbicides, tebuthiuron and triclopyr, were sprayed in 1983 in one plot each, as well as in two plots that were also burned each April, in 1985–1987. One plot was not burned or sprayed with herbicide. Two additional pastures that were burned but not sprayed along with adjacent areas that were not burned or sprayed were also monitored. Ten female and seven male deer were radio-tracked, in 1988–1989.

    (Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)

  2. Use prescribed burning

    A randomized, replicated, controlled study in 1988–1989, in a mixed forest and prairie site in Oklahoma, USA (Leslie Jr et al. 1996), found that burning areas of forest had mixed effects on use by white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus, depending on season and sex. Female deer preferred burned plots in spring and summer, but unburned plots in winter. Male deer preferred burned plots in summer and autumn. There was no habitat selection for other sex/season combinations. Data presented as proportions of radio-tracking locations. See paper for details. Four blocks, each containing five 32-ha plots, were studied. In each block, two plots were sprayed with herbicide and burned, two were sprayed with herbicide but not burned and one was not sprayed or burned. Burning was done each April in 1985–1987. Herbicide was applied in 1983. Ten female and seven male deer were radio-tracked, in 1988–1989, and the use of burned and unburned areas relative to their size was assessed.

    (Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)

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