A Track Plot System to Monitor Habitat Use

Difficulty in capturing a sufficient sample of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for a biotelemetry habitat use study led to the development of an alternative methOd using track plots. One-hundred 1 X 3 m plots/site were proportionately allocated by percentage area of distinct cover types, prior to random location in the 3 study areas. Results from 13 months of use indicated that the method was acceptable for monitoring habitat use patterns. Potential uses and problems are discussed. Comparisons with biotelemetry and direct observation data are made.