Age and regional differences in antlers and mass of white-tailed deer

Quantifying how physiographic region affects age-related physical developme nt of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) will aid in understanding land management and harvest regulation impacts. We analyzed 1991-98 harvest data from Mississippi's Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) and wild life management areas consisting of 247,051 deer from 5 physiographic regio ns in Mississippi. Sex, age, and region affected eviscerated body mass (P < 0.001). Age and region affected an antler size index (P ( 0.001). However, significant interactions between age and regions and differences in the sl opes of growth rates for body mass and an antler size index indicated these variables develop differently across the physiographic regions for each se x. Managers should use caution when grouping body mass samples for 2.5-, 3. 5-, and <greater than or equal to>4.5-year-old deer, as changes in age comp osition with limited sample size could bias mass results. Soil fertility sh ould be considered when designing age-based selective harvest programs when management goals include maximizing antler size at harvest.