Geology topics

Dewaine H. Jackson

Publications and source records attributed to Dewaine H. Jackson.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2018

Effects of distribution, behavior, and climate on mule deer survival

Mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus hemionus ) populations in North America are a valuable economic wildlife resource, with the managed harvest of this species reflecting societal values and recreational opportunities in many parts of the western United States. Managing mule deer populations while allowing for harvest requires an understanding of the species’ population dynamics, including the specific factors associated with population change. We conducted a 7-year (2005–2012) study designed to investigate habitat use and survival of mule deer in eastern Oregon, USA. We used known-fate data for 408 adult female radio-collared mule deer to estimate monthly survival rates and to investigate factors that might affect these rates, including seasonal distribution, temporal effects (seasonal, annual, and trends across season and year), movement behavior, and local weather and regional climatic covariates. Variation in survival rates of female mule deer was best explained by an additive effect of migration behavior, differences in survival during the fall migration period compared to the rest of the annual cycle, and precipitation levels on winter ranges of individual deer. Estimates of annual survival were higher for migrants (0.81–0.82), compared to residents (0.76–0.77). Survival was lower for migrants and residents during fall migration (Oct–Nov) and higher amounts of winter precipitation increased survival of both groups. The results of our study suggest that migrating to potentially higher quality summer foraging areas outweighed the cost of traveling through unfamiliar habitats and energy expenditure associated with migration. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

Oregon↗

USGS2003

Spatial use and habitat associations of Columbian white-tailed deer fawns in southwestern Oregon

Fawns represent a critical life history stage in the dynamics of deer populations, yet little recent information is available on the ecology of neonatal Columbian white-tailed deer (CWTD), a geographically isolated and federally endangered sub-species. We described home ranges, areas of concentrated use, and habitat associations of CWTD fawns in southwestern Oregon during the summers of 1997 and 1998. Spatial use patterns and habitat use within areas of concentrated use were described for 11 radio-marked fawns. Pooled habitat use was described for 24 radio-marked fawns. Areas of concentrated use averaged 2.4 ha, which was 13.3% of mean 95% home range size (18.0 ha). Frequent use of oak-madrone woodland and riparian cover types characterized fawn habitat use patterns. Cover types containing conifers were rarely used and usually not available within home ranges. Although we found no detectable patterns of habitat selection or avoidance among fawns, areas of concentrated use were composed mostly of oak-madrone woodland (35%) and riparian (26%) cover types. Moreover, 74% of concentrated use area was within 200 m of streams. Our results provide useful information on habitat characteristics used frequently by CWTD fawns.

Northwest Science↗

USGS2002

Survival of Columbian white-tailed deer in western Oregon

Columbian white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus leucurus; CWTD) are an endangered subspecies on which little demographic information exists. We determined survival rates and causes of mortality for 64 radiocol- lared adults from 1996 to 1998, and for 63 radiocollared neonatal fawns during the summer and fall months of 1996-2001 in Douglas County, Oregon, USA. Annual adult survival rates averaged 0.74 over 3 years, and most mor- tality (73%) occurred between fall and winter. Seasonal survival was lowest (0.75) for the fall-winter 1997-1998, and was 20.90 during all spring-summer periods. Annual and seasonal survival rates did not differ by gender. Average annual survival was 0.77 for deer in wildland areas compared with 0.66 for deer in suburban areas, but these dif- ferences were not consistent between years and seasons. Survival over the entire 3-year study was low (0.38). Eight deer died from a combination of emaciation and disease, and almost all (92%) necropsied deer were in poor body condition. Fawn survival to 7 months was low (0.14, 95% CI = 0.02-0.26) and declined most rapidly during the first 1.5 months of life. Predation (n = 21) and abandonment (n = 6) were the most frequent known causes of death for fawns. Our results suggest that CWTD may have responded to density-dependent factors during this short-term study, although the effects of other environmental or intrinsic factors cannot be ignored. Fawn survival may be insufficient to produce enough recruits for population growth and eventual range expansion.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗

USGS1998

Evaluation of transmitter attachment techniques on growth of wild turkey poults

We compared the effects on growth of backpack-mounted and surgically implanted radiotransmitters used as marking techniques in studies of wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo ) poult survival. We applied repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bayesian analysis to evaluate the null hypothesis that marking technique did not affect growth. Growth in body mass was similar among treatment groups. We did, however, find differences in wing-growth rates among treatment groups. The control group had the highest wing-growth rate, the backpack group had the lowest growth rate, and the surgical implant group was intermediate. Latex backpack harnesses also caused physical developmental problems that would have negatively biased wild poult survival estimates in the field. Surgically implanted transmitters affected wing growth less than the backpack harnesses and are therefore recommended for attaching transmitters to wild turkey poults.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗