Seasonal movements of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia

Authors

  • Trevor A. Kinley Parks Canada Agency

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v133i3.2201

Keywords:

Kootenay National Park, Odocoileus virginianus, seasonal movement, summer range, White-tailed Deer, winter range

Abstract

Nineteen adult female White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), fitted with very high frequency or global positioning system collars in the Rocky Mountains of southeast British Columbia, exhibited straight-line seasonal movements ranging from <4 km to 109 km. Movement was almost entirely along the floor of both low- and high-elevation valleys, although there was some use of mid-elevation mountainsides during early winter. Spatial locations of deer spanned 891–2234 m above sea level. Seasonal movements of these deer from a single winter range extended to two provinces, three national parks, one provincial park, non-park provincial Crown land, and private land. Deer populations with similar movement patterns may be most effectively managed by considering their extensive movements and coordinating approaches across jurisdictions.

Author Biography

Trevor A. Kinley, Parks Canada Agency

Environmental Assessment Scientist,

Highway Engineering Services

Parks Canada Agency

Downloads

Published

2020-02-26

Issue

Section

Articles