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Note: Session titles beginning with an asterisk (*) have student presenters.
AUTHORS: Rebecca M. Shuman, University of Georgia; Michael J. Cherry, Virginia Tech; Elizabeth A. Dutoit, University of Georgia; Taylor N. Simoneaux, University of Georgia; Karl V. Miller, University of Georgia; Michael J. Chamberlain, University of Goergia
ABSTRACT: Resource selection by females and their offspring during the fawning season can influence survival and recruitment. The selection process is thought to represent the balancing of often competing demands to minimize predation risk and maximize resource availability to support the energetic demands of lactation. Maladapted resource selection decisions are rare, and consequently resource selection results are often used to guide habitat management actions. We used a distance-based approach to examine selection of fawn-rearing areas and locations within fawning areas for 20 radioinstrumented female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana. We also examined selection of vegetative attributes at parturition sites (n = 22) and fawn bed sites (n = 106). Females selected fawn-rearing areas nearer to agriculture than expected given their home ranges (t1, 19 = -3.524, p = 0.002), but within fawn-rearing areas, females were located farther from agriculture (t1, 19 = 2.715, p = 0.014) and reforestation (t1, 19 = 2.129, p = 0.047) than expected. Parturition sites and fawn bed sites had greater visual obstruction than random sites. Avoiding areas that presumably have an enhanced nutritional plane, due to cultivation and habitat improvements (i.e., agriculture and CRP reforestation) and selecting sites with more concealment cover suggests that both females and fawns selected areas that reduce predation risk to the fawn rather than maximizing forage availability. However, our results may stem from the fact that food resources may not be limiting in any habitat type or fawns on our site experienced high predation rates.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 10:20am - 10:40am EDT
Carroll Ford