Kilgo, J.C., Labisky, R.F. & Fritzen, D.E. 1996: Directional long-distance movements by white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus in Florida. - Wildl. Biol. 2: 289-292.
Knowledge of directional tendencies among long-distance movements by animals can be important in planning conservation and management strategies for wildlife at the landscape scale. The direction of 23 long-distance movements (³2 km) among a non-migratory population of white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus on the Osceola National Forest, Florida, during 1989-1991 was examined. Direction of dispersal by 10 yearlings (7 males, 3 females) was non-uniform in distribution and averaged 95°. Direction of 13 excursions by 12 adults (2 males, 10 females) also was non-uniform but was bimodally (east-west) distributed; mean directions of the two distributions were 83° and 261°. Thus, both excursions and dispersals of radio-instrumented deer were on an east-west axis. No prominent landscape features that would direct deer movement were apparent. However, the fact that deer movements followed a consistent directional trend, even in a relatively homogeneous landscape, may have important implications for management of gene flow among small populations.
Key words: dispersal, Florida, Odocoileus virginianus, pine flatwoods, white-tailed deer
John C. Kilgo*, Ronald F. Labisky & Duane E. Fritzen, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0430 USA
*Present address: Savannah River Forest Station, P.O.Box 710, New Ellenton, SC, 29809, USA
Received 29 July 1996, accepted 20 February 1997
Associate Editor: Bernt-Erik Sæther