This document summarizes a study on white-tailed deer populations at The Wilds conservation center from 2008-2014. Data was collected along 5 transects by counting deer observed once a week. On average, surveys found 40.5 total deer per transect, with 35.1 does and 5.4 bucks. Linear regression analysis found a positive association between deer numbers and time. The deer density was calculated to be 49.012 deer/km2, above the 25 deer/km2 threshold. This high density could impact habitat and increase disease spread. The ongoing study is being conducted by Dr. Ingold, Dr. Dooley, Dan Beetem, The Wilds, and Josh Goedel.

2.  2008

3.  Habitat
 Absence of predators
 Hunting regulations
 Protected areas

4.  Habitat
› Anderson 1997;
› Fowler et. al., 2007
 Agriculture
› Rooney et al., 2010
 Songbirds and small mammals
› Ballard et. al., 2003; McShea & Rappole 1999
› Bynam 2011
 Disease
› Bolzoni et. al., 2012; Duffy et. al., 2002

5.  Determine if deer population is above ~
25 individuals per square kilometer
 Determine if areas at the Wilds have
higher densities than other areas
 Determine if there are more bucks than
does or vice versa, or if both sexes are
represented equally

8.  Data collected along 5 transects
 Transect surveyed once a week
 Program Distance

10.  Avg. of 40.5 deer
 Avg. 35.1 does
 Avg. 5.4 bucks

12. Total number of deer observed on transect 2
Sampling session
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Totalnumberofdeerobserved
0
2
4
6
8
10

13. Total number of deer observed on transect 4
Sampling Session
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Totalnumberofdeerobserved
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5

15.  Linear Regression
 P=0.07
 R2=0.39
 Positive association

16.  Linear Regression
 P=0.09
 R2=0.35
 Positive association

17.  Linear regression
 P=0.06
 R2=0.41
 Positive association

18. Year of Study
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Deerperkm2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Previous research results

19.  Deer density= 49.012 deer/km2
 Greater than 25
 Impact
› Habitat
› Disease
 On going study

20.  Dr. Danny Ingold
 Dr. Jim Dooley
 Dan Beetem
 The Wilds
 Josh Goedel