Home-range size and overlap of sympatric male mule and white-tailed deer in Texas

Authors

Kristina J. Brunjes, Texas Tech University, LubbockFollow
Warren B. Ballard, Texas Tech University, LubbockFollow
Mary H. Humphrey, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Sonora, TexasFollow
Fielding Harwell, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Kerrville, TexasFollow
Nancy E. McIntyre, Texas Tech University, LubbockFollow
Paul R. Krausman, University of Arizona, TucsonFollow
Mark C. Wallace, Texas Tech University, LubbockFollow

Abstract

Information about the ecology of sympatric male deer is limited, which may influence management strategies for these species. We estimated home-range and core-area sizes and overlap, and survival of sympatric male desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus eremicus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in west central Texas. We captured 18 males of each species, fitted them with radio-collars, and monitored them for mortality from 2000 through 2003. We calculated home ranges for 7 males of each species in 2001 and 2002. Home-range sizes of mule deer (8.8 km²) and white-tailed deer (7.4 km²) were similar. Interspecific home-range overlap was less common than intraspecific overlap. Mean annual survival was 0.76 (s_x̄ = 0.04) for mule deer and 0.80 (s_x̄ = 0.06) for white-tailed deer. The high degree of home-range overlap and similar survival between the 2 deer species suggest that management targeting only 1 species may be unfeasible.

Recommended Citation

Brunjes, Kristina J.; Ballard, Warren B.; Humphrey, Mary H.; Harwell, Fielding; McIntyre, Nancy E.; Krausman, Paul R.; and Wallace, Mark C. (2009) "Home-range size and overlap of sympatric male mule and white-tailed deer in Texas," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 69: No. 1, Article 15.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol69/iss1/15