Behavioral and spatial ecology of female white-tailed deer in the Everglades ecosystem
Zultowsky JM. 1992. Behavioral and spatial ecology of female white-tailed deer in the Everglades ecosystem. University of Florida
The deer herds monitored in this study are in adjacent parts of Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, south Florida. Observations of radio-instrumented deer provide management information on factors which affect movement and other behavior. The deer are important as prey for the endangered Florida panther, in addition to providing recreational hunting within the preserve. The author discusses home range size, social grouping, effects of human disturbance, and more. To enhance the deer population, the thesis suggests such management strategies as reducing the hunting season (particularly in wet years), and research on the effects of prescribed fire. Appendices: home range sizes, coefficients of association.