Lonnie P. Hansen

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...

We measured reproductive parameters of 2,833 female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) collected from 1978 to 1986 and 1989 to 1993 in 3 geographical regions of Missouri. Fawn pregnancy and fetal rates were lower (P < 0.001) than those of yearling and older does. Ozark region fawns had lower fetal rates than fawns from the Glaciated Plains region; no other regional differences were found. Fetal sex ratios approached 1:1 and were not influenced by year of collection, litter size, region, or age of doe. However, yearling and older does that conceived late in the annual breeding...