Response of White-tailed deer following a forest fire in the Long Pines, southeastern Montana

In June of 1988 a forest fire burned 74% of the 27,862 ha of National Forest in the Long Pines of southeastern Montana and created a mosaic of burned and unburned timber and grasslands.An earlier study conducted in this area suggested that the diversity and security provided by the multi-aged ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) stands before the fire were fundamental in maintaining high density white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations during all seasons (Dusek 1980).I observed post-fire whitetailed deer population characteristics and how they have responded to the new habitat complex.A total of 1,564 white-tailed deer observations were recorded for the Long Pines during the June-August 1993 and January-December 1994 field seasons.A more diverse habitat was created as a result of the fire.The amount of browse in the study area increased and food habit data suggested the whitetails diet was primarily comprised of browse making up 70% percent yearlong.The major difference in range use from Dusek's (1980) study was white-tailed deer use of more open areas (open ponderosa pine, bum, and agricultural) compared to more closed canopy use before the fire.Twenty-four percent of whitetail observations for all seasons were in agricultural areas.Dusek (1980) also found agricultural areas to be important in his pre-fire study.Agricultural areas received their greatest use during winter and late summer.The results of this study suggest that the fire improved the habitat and quality of white-tailed deer found in the Long Pines.Hunter use, success and opportunity in the Long Pines has virtually stayed the same.The overall hunting success rate for both nonresidents IV VITA Keith William Wittenhagen was bom July 5,1967 in Las Vegas, Nevada to Keith L. and Nettie Wittenhagen.In 1985 he graduated from Custer County District High School in Miles City, Montana and enrolled at Phillips University at Enid, Oklahoma.He received an Associate of Arts degree from Miles Community College in 1987 and enrolled at Montana State University of Bozeman.In 1990 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and started an independent study on ferruginous hawks for the Bureau of Land Management.He began his studies toward a Master of Science degree in Fish and Wildlife Management in January, 1993.He married Lori Hutchinson in July