Emigration and Survival of Orphaned Female Deer in Illinois: A Pilot Study

摘要

Emigration and survival were examined for 14 orphaned and 108 non-orphaned femalewhite-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) captured at less than 22 months-of-age from free-ranging populations in Illinois. Emigration rates were higher (P = 0.006) for female orphans than non-orphans. Ten of 14 (71%) orphans emigrated in spring-early summer. In contrast, only 36 of 108 (33%) non-orphans emigrated. Seasonal survival was high for both orphans and non-orphans. Annual survival rates for all females from 3 Illinois study areas were 0.596 (east-central), 0.786 (west-central), and 0.792 (northern). Possible stimuli for emigration behavior in female white-tailed deer are discussed.