A management policy for sika deer based on sex-specific hunting

摘要

A management policy is discussed for a sika deer (Cervus nippon) population in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan. Deer populations are characterized by a large intrinsic rate of population increase, no significant density effects on population growth before population crash, and a relatively simple life history. Goals of management for the deer population are: (1) to avoid irruption with severe damage to agriculture and forestry; (2) to avoid the risk of extinction of the deer population; and (3)to maintain a sustainable yield of deer. To make a robust programme on the basis of uncertain information about the deer population, three levels of relative population size and four levels of hunting pressures were considered. A critical level for extinction, an optimal level, and an irruption level were also taken into consideration. The hunting pressure for females is set to increase with the population size. Catching males is recommended if the population size is between the critical and optimal levels, and catching females and males if the population size is larger than the optimal level. The simulation results suggest that management based on sex-specific hunting is effective to diminish the annual variation in hunting yield.