Title: Comparison of anatomical and physiological characteristics of white-tailed deer subjected to still and dog hunting.
Year: 1984
Abstract: From 1977 through 1982, 6876 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were obtained from still- and dog-hunted areas of the Savannah River Plant to compare reproductive rates, body condition, and other body characteristics of deer harvested by different methods. Animals were harvested during organized public hunts conducted yearly from October 1 to December 31 in adjacent upland habitats. Males and females taken from the dog-hunted area had higher agespecific body weights than did deer from the still-hunted area. Males from the dog-hunted area had higher age-specific kidney fat indices (KFI) than males from the still-hunted area. Significant age-specific differences were noted in female KFIs and between deer from different harvest groups. Age specific antler development was greater in the still-hunted area. Reproduction by fawns increased as population age-structure declined with increasing hunting pressure. Natality rates were higher for deer in the still- than the dog-hunted group. Correlations and multiple regression analyses suggest that differences in functional relationships between anatomical and physiological variables may be expected when animals are harvested using different methods.
