As most of you are aware, a little over 3 years ago the ADCNR funded a comprehensive study on white-tailed deer movement and survival. This is the research that included the brown and orange collars that some of you were seeing for the past few years. I know that it's been a long time coming, but the data and accompanying interpretations are finally in a format that we can share them with all of you.

Kevyn Wiskirchen and Todd Jacobsen, the two MS students that took the lead on the research submitted the final official copies of their theses in the past few weeks. We have put copies of their theses on the Au DeerLab webpage, and I will include links below so that you can get to the information. Keep in mind that the theses were prepared in a scientific format, so parts of them might be less than enjoyable to read.

Kevyn's THESIS had two chapters. The first examined survival and mortality patterns from the data that were collected, and the second looked at patterns of deer activity and how they were influenced by hunting activity. The data form the first chapter is very interesting regarding the relative differences between mortality on public and private lands, and the second chapter describes how your patterns as a hunter may causing you to hunt primarily on days that have low deer movement.

Todd's THESIS had two chapters, also. The first discussed the definition of excursive movements, and the second described the excursive behaviors that were discovered with the radio-collared deer from this project. These data have implications for management of deer on small-medium sized properties.

Very interested to tear into this when I get home. Thanks for posting it up for us!

Awesome! Cant wait to read it!

Thanks much for sharing this.

I guess that I should also provide a LINK to all of the graduate students theses that have been completed with me at Auburn. Some of you might be interested in looking at them. Below is a general description of some of them.

Angela Jackson examined fawn survival at Fort Rucker.

Ally Keever did a follow up of this research at Fort Rucker.

Jeff Sullivan just completed some work in South Carolina that examined visitation of deer to previously hunted stands.

Gabe Karns looked at Buck movement inside of a high fence.

Sarah Saalfeld looked at fawn survival in an urban area.

Clint McCoy examined problems with camera surveys.

...and there are others.

Thanks for posting up, Steve.

Great information, thanks!

Pleasantly surprised how many females are involved. Guess it could be guys with girly names.

Without reading the "previous hunted stand" thesis I would have on my mind what is the difference between a previous hunted stand and a previous visited feeder by a person? Just have to read it I guess.

Thanks for the info!!!!

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks. Camp Hill is a rocking place.lol

Thanks, Doc!

Anybody done a study of deer in the free range in the big pen?

Is there any reports on coy dogs , coy wolf's in ala.

Well, its not written in dumbass redneck terms. My 2 takes:
1) They collared 82 deer. 3 died PDQ leaving 79. Of those 79, 30 where killed somehow. That means 49 survived for 3 years of the study. IF I READ THIS CORRECTLY, that is an unbelievable survival rate! IF that is correct, it should give hunters who opt to pass deer up renewed hope in their choice.
2). IF IM READING IT CORRECT, most "excursions" began at sunrise. Once again, renewed hope for hunters for a buck during daylight hours.

A study on coyotes is in progress. Been going a year or two.

thanks

My study concludes all those bastards need to die. Study complete

A slow painful death. I'm thinking of digging a moat around my electric fence around my watermelons. I want them standing in water when they touch the electric fence.

Good stuff. Already engulfed one

The movement data as it relates to the average conception date in a particular area is awesome.