Mule Deer Preference and Monoterpenoids (Essential Oils)

Abstract

Wild wintering mule deer browsed on a uniform shrub garden near Helper, Utah. On this garden, 21 accessions from 5 Artemisia taxa were selected to test the relationship between deer preference for these accessions and the amount of monoterpenoids present in the accessions. Deer preferences were determined by measuring removal of current year's growth. Samples of current year's growth (leaves and stems with terminal buds) were collected at the time preference measurements were taken to determine monoterpenoid content. Deer use ranged from zero to 83% of the current year's growth. Total monoterpenoid content among accessions varied from 0.75 to 3.62% of dry matter. Coefficients of determination, preference versus monoterpenoid levels (total and individual) ranged from 0 to 18%. The monoterpenoid content of various accessions of Artemisia taxa was not significantly related to deer preference.