Data from: Estimating population density of the white-tailed deer in Finland using non-invasive genetic sampling and spatial capture–recapture

The white-tailed deer is an important game species in Finland. We evaluated the potential of estimating the white-tailed deer pre-harvest density using non-invasive DNA collection within a spatial capture–recapture (SCR) framework. We sampled faeces during three weekly visits in autumn 2015 from 180, 20 x 20 m plots clustered in groups of four. Individual identification was based on 12–14 microsatellites. Of the 245 faecal samples collected, an individual could be identified from only 36 (15%). We identified 27 white-tailed deer individuals of which seven were recaptured. The SCR model produced a plausible density estimate (3.5 indiv. km–2) which was similar to estimates based on dung count and large-scale national estimates, although a posteriori simulation showed the SCR estimate was likely positive biased. Although we found that SCR based on faecal DNA can provide pre-harvest density estimates of the white-tailed deer, the approach is not without challenges and we discuss these suggesting possible solutions.trap data file (tdf)Comma separated file with header in first line. Information is on Spatial-Capture-Recaptures sampling plots. Each plot is 20mx20m. Each plot was visited once per week (=occasion) during three weeks. Plots were cleaned of feces prior data collecttion. Fecal samples were taken and analysed. File contains an identifier (ID) for each trap, its spatial location (X and Y; unit in meter) and whether it was operational (1) or not (0) during each of three occasions (occ1, occ2, occ3).tdf.txtencounter data file (edf)Comma separated file with header in first line. File contains spatial capture recapture data on individuals which were identified using DNA extracted from fecal pellets sampled in plots (see tdf file) for which 12-14 microsatellite markers could be amplified. Each individual is a unique genotype based on these markers. The information contains Session (always 1), identifier for each individual (ID), during which week it was encountered (occasion), and in which sample plot (TrapID; coded as in the tdf file), as well as the sex of the individual (Sex; F-female; M-male)edf.txtScript in program RR script to conduct spatial capture recapture analyses as well as the simulation reported in our paperRscriptAnalyses.tx