Natural Mortality Patterns of Deer in Southeast Alaska
Klein DR and Olson ST. 1960. Natural Mortality Patterns of Deer in Southeast Alaska. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 24(1):80-88
Knowledge of population-regulating factors such as birth rate and mortality is of obvious importance in the study of animal populations. The task of securing this information is in many cases perplexingly difficult. Fortunately, in Southeast Alaska the unique association of the black-tailed deer with its range affords an exceptional opportunity for the collection of natural mortality information. During some winters adverse climatic conditions, coupled with the abrupt mountainous topography, force the deer to utilize beaches where snow depth is at a minimum. Natural mortality is greatest during this critical winter period, resulting in the accumulation of deer carcasses in areas where they can be readily found. This paper deals with the sex and age characteristics and the causes of natural mortality in black-tailed deer populations under Alaskan conditions.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Klein, David; Olson, Sigurd
- Units
- GLBA , KLGO , SEAN , SITK
- Keywords
- Mammals, Mortality, Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis, Predation, Sitka Black-Tailed Deer, Ungulates