White-tailed deer population characteristics movements and winter site selection in western Montana

White-tailed Deer Population Characteristics, Movements, and Winter Site Selection in Western Moj^^aas^a (92 pp. ) Director: W. Leslie P e n g e l ^^^^ White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) wintering in the Salmon Lake area of western Montana were studied from October 197$ to September 1977» Intensive study from January through March in 1976 and 1977 was intended to determine the population character istics and food habits of deer wintering at Salmon Lake as well as to determine the factors influencing habitat selection on the winter range.Study during other months was directed toward identifying summer locations of these deer.Analyses of population characteristics of these deer included _ determination of numbers, sex and age ratios, mortality, repro duction, physiological condition, and physical measurements.Between i+OO and $$0 deer used the I9 .O6 square-kilometer (7*3^ sq mi) winter range.Fawn:adult ratios for 1976 and 1977 were 14. 7 :1 0 0 and $3:100, respectively, indicating good fawn survival.Bucks comprised 6$ percent of the adult harvest during either-sex hunting.Hunter harvest was the major mortality factor.Less than one-third of the population was harvested each year.Winter mortality was minimal.Deer were not suffering from severe mal nutrition.Conception dates ranged from 23 November to U December, Analysis of food habits indicated grasses and forbs were pre ferred.Shrubs receiving the greatest utilization included Oregon grape (Berberis repens), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia).and Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum).Topo-cover types with steep slopes and moderate snow cover were used extensively.Slopes that developed snow-free areas adjacent to dense overstory cover were also preferred.Intensive studies of the potential of broadcast b u m s for rehabilitating the winter range should be initiated.Summer locations were obtained for eight deer.These deer migrated an average distance of 1 3 .99 kilometers (8 .6 9 mi) from the winter range.11