What’s limiting deer population growth?

Knowledge gapsBirth ratesCause specific mortalityEffect of coyote control on fawn survival ratesHabitat limitationsCompetition with elkFawn and adult survival ratesHighway mortality estimates

What causes fawn mortality and how effective is coyote

control?We are currently working with BYU and USU to

design a study investigate fawn survival from birth to 6 months.

This study will also look at cause specific mortality for fawns

We also want to estimate coyote density and study the effect that coyote control has on fawn survival rates

Are elk competing with deer?

Few studies looking specifically at deer elk competitionAlthough there is certainly some dietary

overlap, none have irrefutable evidence that elk and deer directly compete for resources

There may be some indirect effects that are extremely difficult to tease out

Even if research showed a negative impact of elk on mule deer, is it realistic to decrease elk populations?

What is the annual survival rate of adult does and

fawns ?

Ballard et al. 2001

7 units were chosen statewide to represent surrounding units

Adult does and doe fawns were captured on each unit and fitted with radio collars to estimate annual survival

Initial project cost was $381,000 and will cost $224,000 annually

We hope to continue this study as long as we can because it provides us the best possible survival data

What is the annual survival rate of adult does and

fawns ?Statewide adult survival rate was

86%Higher than expected (85%)

Statewide fawn survival rates were 52%Lower than expected (60%)

How many deer are killed on Utah highways?

We currently have a rough estimate of road killed deer from road kill pick upPicked-up 4,209 carcasses in 2008Drastically underestimating the true value

We do not know the number of deer that are hit and killed by vehicles but are not recovered

We initiated a study through USU to estimate highway mortality using road kill collection

This will be a 3 year study with a cost of $364,000

USU Highway Mortality Study

•51 sampling location•3 mile segments•153 miles highway•9% of contractor miles•Sites are selected seasonally

How many deer are killed on Utah highways?

How many deer are killed on Utah highways?

•Preliminary data from July 1st to September 30th •Contractors have recovered 12.5% of tagged carcasses•For every deer collected by contractors, 7 more are being killed

How many deer are killed on Utah highways?

•In December 2010, we will GPS collar 31 adult female deer ( >2 years)

How many deer are killed on Utah highways?

GPS collars will last 1.5 years (Dec 2010 to May 2012)

Survival and movementsFrequency of road crossingsProximity to roadsHome range positioningUse of wildlife crossingsMovement near wildlife

fencing

DWR Research Summary

The DWR is proactively conducting research needed to find out what is limiting mule deer populations

The DWR will spend $1.4 million in the next 4 years on mule deer research

The DWR is looking at spending an additional $500,000 to fund the fawn cause specific mortality and coyote control effect study

This research will help focus our efforts in the areas where they are needed most

Thank you