Relationship of Birth Date and Physical Development of Yearling White-tailed Deer in Florida

Body mass and antler measurements from yearling, male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvested in pine flatwoods of northwestern Florida were used to test the relationship between estimated birth date and physiological indices. Age, estimated by the degree of third mandibular molar eruption, was related to the body mass and antler development of yearling bucks (P < 0.001). Late parturition in this region appears to contribute to poor antler development and low body mass of yearling bucks. The effects of late parturition on the physical development of yearling bucks should be considered when developing and evaluating harvest management strategies in this region.