Age and Regional Differences in Antlers and Mass of White-Tailed Deer

Abstract

Quantifying how physiographic region affects age-related physical development of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) will aid in understanding land management and harvest regulation impacts. We analyzed 1991-98 harvest data from Mississippi's Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) and wildlife management areas consisting of 247,051 deer from 5 physiographic regions in Mississippi. Sex, age, and region affected eviscerated body mass (P < 0.001). Age and region affected an antler size index (P < 0.001). However, significant interactions between age and regions and differences in the slopes of growth rates for body mass and an antler size index indicated these variables develop differently across the physiographic regions for each sex. Managers should use caution when grouping body mass samples for 2.5-, 3.5-, and ≥4.5-year-old deer, as changes in age composition with limited sample size could bias mass results. Soil fertility should be considered when designing age-based selective harvest programs when management goals include maximizing antler size at harvest.