Movement ecology of adult male white-tailed deer in hunted and non-hunted populations in the wet prairie of the Everglades
Sargent RA. 1992. Movement ecology of adult male white-tailed deer in hunted and non-hunted populations in the wet prairie of the Everglades. University of Florida
Reports an investigation of white-tailed deer movements during hunting season made by comparing home ranges in an area with hunting and one without. The two adjacent areas are in southeastern Big Cypress National Preserve (with hunting) and in Everglades National Park (no legal hunting). Use of these two areas allowed differentiating movements of adult males associated with the rut from those in response to hunting. The author found that home ranges within the preserve are larger than in Everglades. The year-round home range differences indicate a response to disturbances connected with hunting and to the lower population density of the preserve. High water levels are not found to limit movement of males, but increased use of airboats in wet seasons can reduce the number of adult male deer to a degree affecting reproductive success and the availability of prey for the endangered Florida panther.