Characteristics of winter forest habitats of the white-tailed deer along the northern border of its distribution area

We studied the habitat preferences of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virgini anus) during winter in eastern Quebec, a region that is located at the nort heastern Limit of the species' distribution and characterized by harsh wint ers. Winter starvation is common and can affect more than 40% of the popula tion. We carried out pellet-group and browse surveys at the end of winter i n 1993-1994 and 1994-1995 to determine which habitat parameters best explai ned pellet-group distribution. A multiple regression analysis retained the following explanatory variables: forest type,conifer cover (positive relati on), food availability (positive relation), and mean diameter at breast hei ght of deciduous trees (negative relation). We also monitored the evolution of deer habitat selection during winter by surveying tracks in the snow. W e found that deer occupied all forest types early in winter, but preferred mixed forest types and avoided deciduous stands when snow cover limited the ir locomotion. We recommend forest management that favours mixed, uneven-ag ed stands with conifer cover varying between 50 and 80%, in which deer can simultaneously find food and cover.