White-Tailed Deer Densities and Brush Cover on the Rio Grande Plain

Abstract

Rio Grande Plain habitats with a range in total brush cover from 10 to 97% were selected from three brush control treatments and native brush types. Deer density in each habitat was determined from helicopter census and observation towers. Three brush cover classes resulted in three levels of white-tailed deer use during summer. Areas with less than 43% total brush cover had a maximum density of 1.4 deer/40.5 ha. Brush cover from 43 to 60% had a maximum density of 3.25 deer/40.5 ha. Highest summer deer use occurred on areas with 60 to 97% total brush cover (7.5 deer/40.5 ha).