Movement and mortality of white-tailed deer in southwest Minnesota (Odocoileus virginianus)

Primary objectives were to determine seasonal survival rates, seasonal movement, and cause-specific mortality of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in southwest Minnesota. Secondary objective was to estimate seasonal home ranges. During 2001–02, radio telemetry was used to monitor the movement and mortality of 61 adult females (>1 year at capture), 16 fawn females ({dollar}8 months at capture), and 39 neonate (<1 month at capture) white-tailed deer. Mean distance migrated between seasonal ranges was 10.1 km. Fourteen female deer (10 adults, 4 fawns) died and the overall adult survival rate was 0.75. Mean home range size was 5.18 km2 during winter and 2.27 km2 during summer. Survival of adult female white-tailed deer was primarily dependant on human factors. Six neonates died and pooled summer survival rate was 0.84. Adult female and neonate white-tailed deer populations had high survival and minimal vulnerability to death by natural causes in intensively cultivated areas.