Winter Feeding Patterns of Penned White-Tailed deer
Ozoga JJ and Verme LJ. 1970. Winter Feeding Patterns of Penned White-Tailed deer. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 34(2):431-439
Overwinter trends in relative feeding activity, amount of browse consumed, and daily rhythms of penned white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns and adults does were monitored during the winters of 1966-67 and 1967-68, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The normal pattern consisted of high levels of food intake and activity in early winter (December-January) and again towards spring (late March), with a marked reduction during the interim. Adult does entering the winter underweight, and the fawns, showed the greatest fluctuations in feeding and activity, whereas does at maximum weight during autumn exhibited more uniform levels throughout the season. The typical early winter feeding rhythm for all deer followed a cyclic pattern of peak activity every 4-6 hours, namely at sunrise, midday, sunset, and twice at night. As winter progressed, they reduced nocturnal and early morning movements and concentrated their activities during the warmest part of the day. Cessation of feeding following the evening peak was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with time of sunset throughout winter.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Ozoga, John; Verme, Louis
- Units
- SFCN