Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Award Date
1985
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Wildlife and Fisheries Science
Abstract
Seasonal use of selected habitat types by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was investigated using radio telemetry locations during 1983 and 1984, on a predominantly agricultural area in east-central South Dakota. In the summer of 1983, radio-collared deer used corn, shelterbelts, and wetlands in proportion to their availability. Soybeans, grainfields, and grasslands were avoided. Deer selected shelterbelts in the fall and wetlands during the winter months, for protective cover. Habitat use shifted in the spring and shelterbelts received heavy use, once they became free of drifted snow. Shelterbelts continued to be selected by deer during the summer of 1984. IN the fall of 1984, both corn and shelterbelts were selected. Deer habitat use also was determined from seasonal deer trail surveys conducted on the study area in spring, summer, and fall of 1984. When compared to radio telemetry data for verification, significant differences (p<0.05) were detected in use patterns for the spring and fall seasons.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
White-tailed deer -- Habitat
Deer -- Habitat -- South Dakota
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 30-34)
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
46
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/
Recommended Citation
Kramlich, Thomas James, "Evaluation of Seasonal Habitat Use By White-Tailed Deer in Eastern South Dakota" (1985). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 155.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/155