Movement of white-tailed deer from a bovine tuberculosis-infected population under baiting and winter feeding restrictions and TB status of black bears in Michigan

In response to concerns about the 1999 baiting and feeding ban imposed to help eradicate bovine TB (Mycobacterium bovis), movement data have been collected on 88 radio-collared white-tailed deer that were trapped in and around DMU 452. These results were compared to results reported in a similar study by Garner (2001) on radio-collared deer movement before the baiting and feeding ban.; There was little change in the proportion of deer that migrated and the mean distance traveled by migratory deer increased by 37% but this trend was not observed at all study sites. The mean size of seasonal ranges increased substantially. Results indicate that deer may have compensated for the ban by increasing the mean distance of their seasonal movements and the mean size of their seasonal ranges. There were indications that deer movement has become more sensitive to changes in winter weather.; The ban on baiting and feeding of deer combined with a decrease in deer densities appeared to have had little negative impact on deer movement in DMU 452; deer are not making mass migrations out of the area and spreading TB into other parts of Michigan.; I developed a protocol for collecting cranial lymph node samples from hunter harvested black bears (Ursus americana) for TB testing that maintained the trophy value and meat for the hunters. Seven out of 202 samples collected during the black bear hunting seasons of 1998 through 2001 tested positive for bovine TB.