The growth rates and patterns of four racial stocks of black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) revealed intrinsic racial differences. Seasonal periodicity in the pattern of growth and winter losses in weight were characteristic of both sexes and all four races even when raised in a standard environment with a constant supply of balanced nutrients. A modified method of analysis permitted comparisons of seasonal growth, effective or net growth, and estimations of mature size for each race. Daily food consumption varied seasonally in keeping with alterations in body weight. Similarities between both sexes suggest an underlying metabolic shift which, coupled with periodic seasonal growth, may have adaptive value for free-ranging deer.

No abstract

H study has bcen made of the normal chemistry of thc bloocl constitlrents of the Columbian blaclc-tailetl decr (Odocoilc~rs lzcnsio?sz~s colz~trrbia~~z~s) in relation to growth and the caloric plane of nutrition. The rcsults sho\vetl a signilicant difference of paclcctl-cell volume ant1 hemoglobin level between the two age groups of experimental animals, while no signilicant tlifierences were found in thc sedimentation rates. T h e high and I o n imposetl plancs of 1111trition tlitl not I~ring ahout a significant tliffercnce in pacl;ecl-cell volumc, sedirncntation mtc, or hemoglol,in value.Can. J. Zool. Downloaded from www.nrcresearchpress.com by McMaster University on 11/28/14For personal use only.

National Wildlife Refuge. Colorado Cooperative Wildl. Research Unit Progr. Rept. 133pp. Mimeo. HOLLING, C. S. 1966. The functional response of invertebrate predators to prey density. Memoirs Entomol. Soc. Canada 48:1-86. QUADE, E. S. 1966. Systems analysis techniques for planning-programming-budgeting. Pages 1-31. In Executive orientation in planning, programming, and budgeting workshop. U.S. Bur. Budget and U.S. Civil Serv. Comm.,

A study has been made of the relationship existing between heart girth and body weight and hind foot length and body weight of growing Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus). From the results obtained, a method has been proposed for the assessment of the nutritional status of wild ungulates. This method involves a comparison of ratios of body weight estimated from heart girth to body weight estimated from hind foot length.