Citation. Rongstad, O. J.; Tester, J. R. 1969. Movements and habitat use of white-tailed deer in Minnesota. Journal of Wildlife Management 33(2):366-379.   [1483  CC]

Abstract. Radio transmitters were placed on six white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the winter of 1963-64 and eight deer in the winter of 1964-65 and their movements followed with an automatic tracking system. Winter home ranges were between 400 and 1,200 acres. Monthly home ranges were between 422 and 576 acres for the months January through March, 1964 and between 83 and 576 acres for the same months in 1965. Home ranges decreased with increased snow depth. The mean percentage of time associated with a cedar swamp changed from 74 percent during the day in January, 1964 to 17 percent during the night in March, 1964, while it changed from 73 to 88 percent during the same periods in 1965. Migration of seven radio-tagged deer occurred shortly after snow melted in fields in mid-April, 1965, but was between late April and early May for three deer in 1964 when snow was mostly gone in March. Does and juveniles moved with practically no meandering from their winter to summer range while adult bucks seemed more inclined to wander.

Keywords. white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, radiotelemetry, home range