Habitat use by white-tailed deer on cross timbers rangeland following brush management

Abstract

Seasonal habitat use by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) was monitored with radio telemetry in 1988-89 to determine responses to experimental brush treatments, 5-6 years post-treatment, in the cross timbers region of central Oklahoma. The study area was a mosaic of brush treatments: tebuthiuron (N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiazol-2-yl 1]-N,N'-dimethylurea) herbicide, tebuthiuron with an annual spring burn, triclopyr ([(3,5,6-trichlor-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid) herbicide, triclopyr with an annual spring burn, and no herbicide with annual spring burning. Control areas with no burning or herbicide applications also were evaluated. Herbicides were applied in 1983, and fires were initiated in 1985. Annual home range (95% harmonic mean) averaged 99.9 ha, and no differences in size among seasons or between sexes were observed. Both sexes selected and avoided specific brush treatments throughout the year. Female deer selected or avoided more human-altered habitats in specific contrasts of main treatment groups (e.g., treated vs. control, herbicide vs. no herbicide, fire vs. no fire, etc.) than males. Both sexes selected fire treatments in summer and were most particular in their choice of main treatment groups in summer and fall habitat use between the sexes was most similar in winter and most disparate in fall. The mosaic of habitat types resulting from the variable herbicide and burn application pattern probably influenced deer habitat use in the cross timbers region through combined effects of increased mid-story cover and forage production as they relate to reproductive activities and nutritional needs of female deer in particular.