Physical Condition and Reproductive Success of White-Tailed Deer at Fort Chaffee, AR: A Five-Year Study

A baseline study conducted in 1991 demonstrated that the resident white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas was in poor condition, with below average reproductive success, body weight, and antler size, and above average parasite load compared to other regional deer populations. Consequently, a management program was initiated in 1991 which included: (1) neutralizing acidic soils, (2) prescribed burning, (3) planting supplemental food plots, and (4) liberalizing the harvest of female adults from the population. The purpose of this study was to monitor changes in the health and reproductive success of the herd as this program was implemented. I evaluated the physical condition of 2,627 hunter-harvested deer brought to hunter check stations between 1991 and 1995. Reproductive rates, timing of reproduction, disease prevalence and physical condition of the herd were estimated. Condition indices (blood serum parameters, tail fat, kidney fat index, body weight, abomasal parasite counts, ovulation rates and antler measurements) were used to estimate the fitness level of the herd. The number of permits issued yearly to hunters ranged from 2,370 to 3,617. A strong correlation was found between the number of permits issued and the success rate of hunters, suggesting that high hunter density may force the deer to move more, enhancing success rates. Proportions of harvested deer in each age class changed little over the 5- year period. Adult females comprised the largest class, ranging from 34 to 39% of the harvest each year. Screening for 7 common disease agents was done. It suggests that the percentage of the herd that carried antibodies for these diseases changed little from 1991 to 1995. A small percentage of deer tested positive for exposure to parainfluenza, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, and leptospira. No other disease antibodies were detected. Average dressed weights for female adults and yearlings were consistent over the 5-year period, while male yearlings showed a significant increase in body weight. Antlered males showed a significant increase in antler beam diameter. Blood serum parameters suggested an increase in dietary energy and protein over the 5-year period. In addition, kidney fat indexes (KFI) increased significantly from 1991 to 1995 in female adults, and abomasal parasite counts (APC) decreased significantly during this period. The proportion of fawns breeding increased from 1991 to 1995