Scale of Management for Mature Male White‐Tailed Deer as Influenced by Home Range and Movements

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Abstract
The scale at which populations use landscapes influences ecological processes and management. We used dispersal and home‐range data of 3 age groups of male white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) to determine the scale at which management will be effective. Home‐range size at 5.5 years of age (182 ha ± 24.9 SE) was 56% smaller ( P < 0.001) than home‐range size of the same 13 males as yearlings (416 ± 59.4 ha). Percent overlap of yearling and 5.5‐year‐old home ranges was 62.7 6 10.3% ( n = 13). Distance between home‐range centers of yearling and mature deer was 1,264.9 ± 407.4 m, including 3 deer that dispersed after 2.5 years of age. Average 95% fixed‐kernel home‐range size was 207.4 ± 20.4 ha and 225.7 ± 30.1 ha for all mature males in years 1 and 2 of our study, respectively. We found that properties >10,000 ha were needed to manage >50% of original yearling males found on the property, whereas properties of 4,500 ha would maintain 50% of original middle‐aged (2.5‐4.5 yr of age) and mature males (≥4.5 yr of age). Movements after dispersal were minimal, with deer shifting their center of activity <600 m and <350 m each year for middle‐aged and mature males, respectively. These data could be used by managers developing management plans, recommending harvest rates, and interpreting harvest data of male white‐tailed deer and by biologists attempting to understand ecological processes such as spread of disease.

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