STUDY OBJECTIVES
ESTABLISHING BAIT SITES
CAPTURING DEER
MARKING AND TRACKING DEER
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
RESULTS AND UPDATES
Study Objectives
The purpose of this research project is to provide
information concerning deer abundance and core areas of deer activity in Cayuga
Heights. This biological information is critical for the community to choose the
most effective of one or more potential deer management options. Access to a
sufficient number of deer is necessary for the long-term success of any deer management
plan. Cooperative relationships with willing private landowners are needed to
establish baits sites for deer capture and to estimate deer numbers. By January
2001, deer movement patterns and numbers will be determined. The feasibility of
different deer management methods can then be critically evaluated.
Establishing Bait Sites
Biologists will contact potential cooperating landowners and locate potential bait sites for catching deer and conducting camera surveys. Apple pomice will be used as bait. Members of the Cayuga Heights Deer Committee will assist biologists with locating additional bait sites in key areas of the community. It is anticipated that one bait site will be required for each 100 acres of land. At this density, there should be one or more bait sites located within each deer's home range.
Capturing Deer
Once bait sites have been established and deer are visiting the sites, biologists will set up net cages called Clover traps. The net cages can easily be set up in the backyards of cooperating landowners. This system worked very well for capturing and marking deer in suburban areas in Missouri. Traps will be wired open during the day so deer can freely enter and leave. During late afternoon, traps will be set so that deer can be captured during the night. Shortly after sunrise each morning traps will be checked so that captured animals can be removed as soon as possible. Deer will not be caught and handled during the day.
Mr. Rob Pooler or Mr. Bodgiv will be setting cage traps in late afternoon and checking them early the next morning. Deer are hardy animals, and can easily spend the night outdoors in a trap with snow and cold temperatures. It is not unusual for deer to bleat and struggle in the cage when first captured. However after a few minutes, the deer ususally become calm and will often bed down in the trap. In an emergency (deer in a trap harassed by dogs, or 2 deer caught at the same time), immediately contact Mr. Pooler or Mr. Boldgiv by calling the cell phone or their home telephone numbers. It is important for people and pets to stay away from the cage, or the deer may become excited and sustain an injury inside the trap. We usually handle deer from about 7 am in the morning until 9 pm at night, so please limit calls to these hours except in case of an emergency.
Captured deer are being tranquilized in order to minimize the amount of stress to the animals. Once deer are released, they typically remain groggy for a period of about 40 minutes. Ocassionally, deer may remain groggy for up to 2 hours. Generally, deer will lay down and rest until the tranquilizer wears off. However, once in a while a deer will attempt to move about and may be seen stumbling or acting oddly. If you see a deer that is acting strangely for more than a 2-hr period, please contact us.
Marking and Tracking Deer
Each deer will be tagged with an alpha-numeric ear tag
to allow individual identification. In addition, deer will be fitted with
radio-transmitters to allow researchers to track their movements. It is anticipated
that deer will be caught and marked during January through mid-March, 2000. A sample
of 15-20 deer will be fitted with radio-collars and will be monitored daily throughout
spring, summer, and fall. These marked deer will help us estimate the total
population size and determine core activity areas where management could be
accomplished. Research staff with vehicles, radio antennas and receivers, and other
field equipment will be seen frequently during day and night in the community. We
welcome discussion of the research with Cayuga Heights residents and would be glad to
schedule presentations about the project, or deer management in general, for interested
community groups.
Community Involvement
Community members can help researchers locate deer and determine deer activity patterns. Important information to record include the date, time, street address, tag numbers of deer observed, total number of deer in the group, and what activity they were engaged in (e.g. feeding, bedding, walking/running). Your participation will help us to collect important information that will aid the community in choosing and implementing the most effective deer management options.
The willingness of property owners
to cooperate is a critical element of this study.
Mr. Boldgiv setting out the apple bait.
Mr. Pooler and Mr. Boldgiv
setting out a net Clover Trap.
Deer captured in the traps are tranquilized to reduce stress during handling.
Tranquilized deer will remain calm and may appear groggy for about 40 minutes.
Attaching the ear tag and radio collar.
Close-up of ear tag and radio collar.