Remote monitoring of scraping behaviors of a wild population of white-tailed deer

Although previous research has provided information on the temporal and spa tial occurrence of scraping by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), inferences regarding the communicative significance of these behaviors have been hampered by the inability to observe specific behavioral patterns at scrape sites. By using motion-activated video cameras, we continuously moni tored scraping behaviors at 6 sites over 2 consecutive breeding seasons in a free-ranging population in the Georgia Piedmont. Most visits by males (85 %) and females (75%) occurred after dark. Females made more visits to scrap es than males (P <0.001), but males interacted with scrapes more frequently (P=0.049). Marking behaviors by males were most frequent during October. Y earling males performed 42% and males greater than or equal to2.5 years old performed 58% of marking behaviors. As many as 13 males visited individual scrapes and some scrape sites were marked by 9 different males. Males freq uently investigated scrapes without scent marking, and about 50% of males r evisited scrapes. Most previous studies of white-tailed deer scraping behav iors focused on captive deer. Our study is the first detailed investigation of scraping in a wild population, and it presents contrasting and previous ly unreported behaviors. Some prior conclusions drawn from behavioral studi es of captive deer may not be applicable to wild populations.