Spatial and temporal use of a suburban landscape by female white-tailed deer.

Abstract

Knowledge of the movement patterns of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in suburban landscapes is important in developing management strategies and assessing results of management programs. We determined annual and seasonal home ranges and core-area use during the winter, winter-spring transition, fawn-rearing, and breeding seasons for 25 female deer in a residential community. We determined distance from deer core areas to residential development, number of houses within core areas, and spatial and temporal use of residential development by deer. Mean annual home-range and corearea sizes were 43.2 and 7.3 ha, respectively. Home-range and core-area size did not differ among seasons. More houses were located in core areas during winter than during the fawn-rearing season. Likewise, core areas were closer to the community in winter than during the fawn-rearing season. For all seasons, the community comprised 23-34% of deer home ranges and 18-33% of core areas. Deer core areas included more residential development during the winter-spring transition than during the fawn-rearing season. Birdfeeders in residential areas may provide urban deer with a supplemental food source and may increase deer visitation rates in communities. Our results suggest that urban deer are more likely to use residential development during the winter and winterspring transition seasons when food may be limiting. Capturing or removing deer in residential areas for research or management would be most effective during March. In March, deer use of the community peaked one to 4 hours after sunset, with a secondary peak occurring 3-5 hours before sunrise. Small annual home ranges of deer suggest that localized management efforts would provide residents relief from damage associated with local deer populations.