AN IMPROVED VAGINAL-IMPLANT TRANSMITTER FOR LOCATING WHITE-TAILED DEER BIRTH SITES AND FAWNS

Abstract

A new design for a vaginal-implant transmitter was tested in 2 habitat types in Mississippi. Eleven white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) does were implanted on Longleaf Farms, Mississippi in 1994. Five does were implanted on Davis island, Mississippi in 1995. Transmitters were prematurely expelled by 4 does, transmitter failure occurred for 1 doe, and 3 does could not be monitored prepartum because of flood conditions. The remaining 8 does carried vaginal-implant transmitters to parturition. Vaginal-implant transmitters resulted in the location of 8 birth sites and 6 fawns. Since implants required no surgical procedures, trauma to the vulva was alleviated. Seven does successfully reared fawns the year they received vaginal-implant transmitters. Our limited sample suggests implants are safe and do not adversely affect the reproductive capacity of implanted does.