Spatial ecology and survival of subadult male sika deer on Maryland’s eastern shore
Date
2010
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Four or 5 (sexes unknown) sika deer were introduced to the Delmarva Peninsula in 1916 (Flyger 1962). Since then their population has grown to an estimated 10,000 individuals (T. Brian Eyler, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Wildlife Heritage, personal communication). The purpose of my study was to investigate dispersal and home range size of this growing population. I collected telemetry locations on 60 stags captured in their first winter from February 2008 through February 2010. Home range size was affected by seasons and deer movement types ( P = 0.0001), averaging 464 ha-4,121 ha. Of 20 deer that dispersed, 19 did so at 1 year old. Dispersal distance and direction were random across the landscape (P = 0.899). Animals were classified into three movement groups; local, migratory, and nomadic. Local deer were the most common movement group and were characterized by short movements confined into a well established home range. I observed 14 deer migrations, which were round trip movements that were associated with seasons and direction (P =0.003). Four deer I observed were classified as nomadic and had long distance movements across the landscape unassociated with seasons. The sika deer population in Maryland has been gradually increasing since their introduction in 1916. The purpose of my study was to determine a survival rate for subadult males, which are the segment of the population with the greatest harvest rate. I captured 60 male sika deer as juveniles (<1) and fitted them with radio telemetry collars. Survival rates did not differ among seasons (P = 0.060; spring = 0.98, SE = 0.019; summer = 1.00, SE = 0.000; fall = 0.93, SE = 0.034; and winter = 0.96, SE = 0.027) with a survival rate of 0.87 (SE=0.045). Survival was greater than previously reported in other native and introduced populations of sika deer, as well as many other populations of cervids. The greatest cause of mortality was hunting, and no animal deaths were attributed to natural causes or disease. Survival in sika deer was greater than in sympatric native white-tailed deer. I recommend an increase in harvest to achieve Maryland DNR deer management goals. (Abstract combined from Chapters 2 and 3.)