Genetic data from a Long-term (16-year) study of white-tailed deer (Odocoil
eus virginianus) on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SR
S) were examined to evaluate spatial and temporal genetic heterogeneity in
this species. Based on our analyses of the long-term data set, three major
findings emerged, all of which have important implications for management o
f white-tailed deer: (1) There exists significant spatial genetic heterogen
eity in white-tailed deer based on analyses of allozyme frequencies and mtD
NA haplotypes. This heterogeneity exists on a much smaller spatial scale th
an would be expected for such a Large and potentially mobile species as O.
virginianus. (2) The genetic structure of white-tailed deer at SRS is tempo
rally dynamic and significant heterogeneity exists within demographic units
such as age and sex classes. (3) Levels of genetic variation, as measured
by multilocus heterozygosity, are frequently correlated to characteristics
that are important determinants of ecological function in white-tailed deer
populations. These findings are evaluated in the context of a general mana
gement model for O. virginianus that is also applicable to other wildlife s
pecies.