HABITAT USE BY WHITE-TAILED DEER ON CROSS TIMBERS RANGELAND FOLLOWINGBRUSH MANAGEMENT

Seasonal habitat use by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm erman) was monitored with radio telemetry in 1988-89 to determine resp onses to experimental brush treatments, 5-6 years post-treatment, in t he cross timbers region of central Oklahoma, The study area was a mosa ic of brush treatments: tebuthiuron thylethyl)-1,3,4-thiazol-2-y-1]-N, N'-dimethylurea) herbicide, tebuthiuron with an annual spring burn, tr iclopyr ([(3,5,6-trichlor-2-pyridinyl)oxy] acetic acid) herbicide, tri clopyr with an annual spring burn, and no herbicide with annual spring burning, Control areas with no burning or herbicide applications also were evaluated, Herbicides were applied in 1983, and fires were initi ated in 1985, Annual home range (95% harmonic mean) averaged 99.9 ha, and no differences in size among seasons or between sexes were observe d, Both sexes selected and avoided specific brush treatments throughou t the year, Female deer selected or avoided more human-altered habitat s in specific contrasts of main treatment groups (e.g., treated vs, co ntrol, herbicide vs, no herbicide, fire vs, no fire, etc.) than males, Both sexes selected fire treatments in summer and were most particula r in their choice of main treatment groups in summer and fall, Habitat use between the sexes was most similar in winter and most disparate i n fall, The mosaic of habitat types resulting from the variable herbic ide and burn application pattern probably influenced deer habitat use in the cross timbers region through combined effects of increased mid- story cover and forage production as they relate to reproductive activ ities and nutritional needs of female deer in particular.