Ecology of sympatric populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer in a prairie environment ecologyofsympatr1989wood Year: 1989 of 1976, 1977, and 1978 (Walcheck 1978) may have contributed to the declining whitetail population (Fig. 6) during those years. About 33 of all whitetails on the Yellowstone River, located 85 km to the east, died from EHD during 1977 (Swenson 1979). Outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) may occasionally influence numbers of white- tailed deer in prairie environments. (Photo by: Alan K. Wood) Overwinter mortality of approximately 29 occurred during Jan
Ecology of sympatric populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer in a prairie environment ecologyofsympatr1989wood Year: 1989 of 1976, 1977, and 1978 (Walcheck 1978) may have contributed to the declining whitetail population (Fig. 6) during those years. About 33 of all whitetails on the Yellowstone River, located 85 km to the east, died from EHD during 1977 (Swenson 1979). Outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) may occasionally influence numbers of white- tailed deer in prairie environments. (Photo by: Alan K. Wood) Overwinter mortality of approximately 29 occurred during January-April 1978 and coincided with relatively severe winter weather (Fig. 3). Although the winter of 1978-1979 was even more severe, it seemed to have less impact on overwinter fawn survival and no adverse impact on subsequent fawn production. The population declined only 6 over this winter and subsequently increased to approximately 230 in spring 1980. There was no correlation between winter severity and percent fawns in spring. It seemed that severe winter weather may impact population size but the effect is probably variable as it was for mule deer. Total precipitation received prior to fawning season (July through April) was correlated with percent fawns in winter (r=, ) and spring (r=, P=). It seemed that drought conditions affected whitetails in a manner similar to mule deer. Low overwinter mortality rates for adult whitetails and high proportions of fawns following severe winters suggested that whitetails also had access to suitable winter ranges. Increased hunting pressure directed toward whitetails from 1976 to 1980 also may have influenced population size during this period. During 1976-1977, most hunters could shoot only whitetails. Hunters could shoot any whitetails but only antlered mule deer from 1977 through 1980 (Table 10). This disproportionate hunting pressure contributed to stabilizing whitetail populations and might have been a factor influ
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