Stephen R. Schultz

Effects of Birth Date and Body Mass at Birth on Adult Body Mass of Male White-Tailed Deer

We examined relationships of birth date and body mass at birth with body mass at mature ages (≥1.5 years) of captive, male white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Birth date was not associated with body mass at birth ( P = 0.862) and had no effect on body mass at the 1.5-, 2.0-, and 2.5-year age classes ( P ≥ 0.379). Males with greater body mass at birth added more body mass between birth and the 1.5-year age class ( P < 0.001) and had greater body mass at the 1.5-, 2.0-, and 2.5-year age classes ( P < 0.001). Body mass of male white-tailed deer at birth may influence body mass at mature ages.

Use of artificial mineral licks by white-tailed deer in Louisiana.

We examined white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use of artificial mineral licks on 3 properties in southcentral Louisiana. High deer use of licks extended longer into summer and fall than reported for areas in more northern latitudes. Estimated monthly mineral consumption averaged 538.0 g/deer (SE = 70.8) and was associated with total moisture and crude protein reported for native plants on forest range in central Louisiana. Consumption from individual licks was positively associated with adjacent soil P concentration (P < 0.001).

MINERAL CONTENT OF LOUISIANA WHITE-TAILED DEER

Water, lipid, and mineral composition were determined for metacarpals, phalanges, livers, and antlers from 219 free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) collected on six properties in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana (USA) to provide baseline data and to identify sources of composition variation. Metacarpal and phalangeal composition varied primarily with deer age; liver composition varied with deer sex.

Efficacy of fenbendazole against gastrointestinal nematodes in whitetailed deer.

We provided fenbendazole to captive (N = 77) and free-ranging (3 study areas) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Louisiana to determine effects on gastrointestinal nematode burdens. Fenbendazole reduced gastrointestinal nematode burdens of captive and free-ranging white-tailed deer. Mean eggs per gram of feces from captive deer decreased (P < 0.01 and P < 0 .01, respectively) 89% and 84% after provision of fenbendazole in doses approximating 0.47 and 0.62 g/deer, respectively. Doses approximating 0.42-0.46 g/deer did not affect (P = 0.61) eggs per gram of feces collected from free-ranging deer. Mean eggs per gram of feces collected from free-ranging deer was affected by fenbendazole treatment (P = 0.04) and decreased an average of 86% (SE = 1.9) on the 3 study areas after provision of fenbendazole in doses approximating 1.67-1.82 g/deer. Eggs per gram of feces collected from the distal colon and abomasal parasite counts from abomasa of free-ranging deer harvested on the study areas were associated positively (r = 0.706, P < 0 .001), were affected by fenbendazole treatment (P < 0.01 and P < 0 .01, respectively), and decreased 66% (SE = 5.1) and 52% (SE = 7.4), respectively, after provision of fenbendazole in doses approximating 1.67-1.82 g/deer. A reduction in the crosstransmission of gastrointestinal parasites common to deer and livestock might be possible through fenbendazole treatment of deer.

Breeding by Male White-Tailed Deer Fawns

Two cohorts of captive white-tailed deer fawns ( Odocoileus virginianus ) were separated from older deer through 1.5 years of age to examine the breeding potential of male fawns. Based on the number of females that gave birth at approximately 1 year of age, a minimum of five males (12.5% of both cohorts) reached sexual maturity and bred successfully as fawns. Although breeding by male fawns would be limited by older males in most wild deer herds, breeding by male fawns might impact the population dynamics of herds in which a very large proportion of older males are harvested.

Effects of feed plots on fecal egg counts of white-tailed deer

Abstract Effects of feed plots on concentrations of gastrointestinal nematode eggs (eggs per g; EPG) in feces of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) were studied on six properties in East Feliciana Parish, LA, USA, from February 1989–January 1990. EPG levels were weakly related to deer densities ( r =0.11, P P = 0.02), months ( P P P > 0.05) and higher than during fall or spring. EPG levels during spring were lower than during any other season ( P P >- 0.34) or month ( P >- 0.18), or with relative deer density serving as a covariable ( P =0.52). The presence of feed plots did not affect gastrointestinal parasite burdens of deer as reflected by fecal egg counts on properties in this study. The establishment of feed plots will not necessarily lead to increased gastrointestinal parasite burdens in deer concentrating to forage on those sites.

Chronology of antler velvet shedding in captive Louisiana white-tailed deer

Little research has been conducted on the effects of photoperiod, birth date, or other factors on the antler cycle of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the southeastern United States. Consequently, we studied the chronology of antler velvet shedding of 59 captive Louisiana whit-tailed bucks from 1986 to 1991 to test For effects of age, birth date, photoperiod, antler characteristics, and body mass. The age of bucks when they shed velvet from their first antler sets was negatively related to birth date (r 2 =0.82; P<0.001; age in days=582.42−0.78 [julian birth date])

Effects of spring/summer body mass gain and sex ratio on fall/winter body mass loss of adult, male white-tailed deer

Abstract During fall/winter 1988–1989, 24 captive adult, male white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) were used to examine fall/winter body mass loss in relation to spring/summer mass gain and sex ratio. Sex ratio treatments were 3 males per 0, 2, 5, and 8 adult females. Average winter weight loss was 13.5% (10.9 kg) and did not differ ( P =0.89) among sex ratio treatments. Mass loss ( P =0.02) and rate of mass loss ( P P =0.22). Body mass loss during fall/winter was directly related to mass gained the preceding spring/summer. These findings are applicable to deer farming programs and in management of wild deer populations.

An evaluation of 4 clovers and Italian ryegrass for white-tailed deer.

We evaluated winter weight gain of captive male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that grazed pastures of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinium L.), white (T. repens L.), crimson (T. incarnatum L.), or subterranean (T. subterraneum L.) clover their first winter and pastures of berseem, white, or crimson clover or Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) their second winter. Weight gains the first winter (14.7 +/- 0.7kg) did not differ (P>0.10) among the clovers. Bucks that grazed berseem, white, or crimson clover the second winter gained 3.0 +/- 0.5 kg, while bucks that grazed Italian ryegrass gained 0.9 +/- 0.9 kg.

Measuring cottonseed hull passage by white-tailed deer.

Cottonseed hull fragments were identified in feces collected for the first 14 of 17 days after ingestion of 1 g cottonseed hulls by each of 4 adult nude white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Acclimation periods for deer forage evaluation trials should extend at least 14 days prior to food item evaluations to ensure passage of previously consumed fibrous plant materials.