Survival and movements of orphaned white-tailed deer fawns in Texas

Harvest of females can be a controversial but necessary tool in managing wh ite-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. Because little is kno wn about the effects of female harvest on their orphaned fawns, we compared survival rates, home range area, and movement rates between fawns (7 M, 7 F) orphaned during early November, and unorphaned (4 M, 6 F) fawns for 11 m onths postorphaning. Distance moved during 3-6-hr periods (P = 0.498) and 2 1-27-hr periods (P = 0.502) did not differ between orphaned and unorphaned fawns. However, compared with unorphaned fawns, orphaned fawns had smaller home ranges (95% minimum convex polygon [MCP]: 153 vs. 285 ha, P = 0.015, n = 23; 95% harmonic mean [HM]: 191 vs. 314 ha, P = 0.035, n = 23), and lowe r survival rates (0.79 vs. 1.00; P = 0.060, n = 24). Our results suggest ea rly-season female deer harvest may negatively affect fawns, potentially red ucing recruitment. Therefore, managers should carefully consider the timing of female harvests relative to management goals and harvest strategies.