Effects of severe winters and fox predation on roe deer mortality

Abstract

This is a study of the mutual impact of roe deer, Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758) and red foxes, Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) ; deer mortality and food supply needed for fox reproduction. Density of roe deer was reported via questionnaires to increase during the study except an interruption after the severe winter 1976/77. The interruption was more pronounced in a northern forested area with deeper snow cover than in a southern mixed agricultural area.