Jeff Beringer

Information on survival rates and causes of mortality are important to understanding white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population dynamics and implementing appropriate management practices. We examined sex- and age-specific survival rates for three Missouri white-tailed deer populations that represented agricultural, forest, and urban landscapes. Except for males on Woods Farm (forest site), we observed no differences in age-specific or annual survival for male or female deer .6 months of age. For this exception, greater yearling than adult survival was attributed to deer harvest...

Deer antler growth is influenced by the environment, population density, genetics, and nutrition. As land use and densities change over time, antler characteristics are hypothesized to also change. We examined how geography, land use, and the number of deer harvested per unit area (i.e., harvest density) related to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) antler characteristics of harvested yearling bucks in Missouri during 2 time periods (1951-1970 and 1997-2001). Latitude related positively to antler characteristics in the early time period. Amount of cropland harvested was positively...