Seasonal intake determination in reproductive wapiti hinds (Cervus elaphuscanadensis) using n-alkane markers

We used bite-count and double n-alkane ratio techniques to estimate dry mat ter intake (DMI) of wapiti hinds on heavily or lightly grazed pastures, dur ing important reproductive phases (early/late gestation, peak/late lactatio n). Despite seasonal differences in phytomass between pastures, differences in DMI were not significant and results were pooled for seasonal compariso ns. The annual nadir of intake occurred in late gestation (3.44 +/- 0.17 kg DM d(-1)) despite the nutrient demands of the rapidly growing foetus. Spri ng weight loss (-2.9 +/- 0.8 g kg(-0.75) d(-1)) reflected the inability of hinds to graze sufficiently to meet these nutritional requirements, even th ough herbage quality was at its seasonal peak. Although energy requirements peaked during early lactation, hinds were able to consume enough high qual ity forage (5.38 +/- 0.25 kg DM d(-1)) to achieve compensatory growth (12.5 +/- 1.4 g kg(-0.75) d(-1)). Continued elevated intakes through late summer (5.32 +/- 0.41 kg DM d(-1)) and autumn (4.41 +/- 0.24 kg DM d(-1)) ensured that hinds regained adequate condition for the breeding season.