White-Tailed Deer Diets from Pastures in Excellent and Poor Range Condition

Abstract

A study was initiated in August, 1975, to examine the forage available to and diet composition of white-tailed deer on pastures of excellent and poor range condition at the Sonora Research Station near Sonora, Texas. Grass and forb standing crop and deer feeding time on these two forage classes were considerably higher on the pasture in excellent range condition than that in poor range condition. Browse standing crop and feeding time was greater from the pasture in poor range condition. The Merrill 4-pasture grazing system appeared to increase the availability and use by deer of grass regrowth. Yearly averages of crude protein and phosphorus were higher in diet samples collected from the pasture in excellent range condition. Digestible energy levels were similar between pastures when averaged over the l-year period. Digestible energy levels in diets were, however, higher from the excellent condition pasture in every season except winter. In winter, deer fed primarily on the foliage of oak on excellent condition range; but on the pasture in poor range condition, deer used large amounts of foliage and mast from juniper and dead leaves of persimmon in addition to oak foliage. Juniper and persimmon apparently contributed to the higher digestible energy levels observed on the pasture in poor range condition during the winter season. Energy may be a major nutrient limiting deer production on the Edwards Plateau. In pristine times, the Edwards Plateau of Texas was considered a grassland steppe but has since been invaded by woody perennials (Krebs 1972). It now contains a diverse community capable of supporting many kinds of plants and animals. Among the endemic

Review. Impact of grazing on plant communities in forestry areas

“…In addition, heterogeneity has positive consequences for wild animals (Bryant et al, 1981;LaGory et al, 1985;Ngugi et al, 1992) as well as for the diets of livestock since it improves the value of a priori more mediocre pasture through synergic effects among different pasture types that stimulate the consumption of large quantities of low quality forage (Meuret et al, 1994).…”

Bait Delivery for Oral Rabies Vaccine to Gray Foxes

“…The terrain is rolling hills with rock outcroppings. Soils are classified as stony clays and clay loams (Bryant et al, 1981). The vegetation structure was predominately an oak-grassland community with intermixed stands of juniper (Juniperus spp.).…”

“…Woody plant species included Vasey shin oak (Quercus pungens), plateau oak (Q. virginiana), common curly mesquite (Hilaria belangeri), and juniper spp. (Bryant et al, 1981). Predominant herbaceous vegetation included sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) and Texas wintergrass (Stipa leucotricha) (Bryant et al, 1981).…”

“…(Bryant et al, 1981). Predominant herbaceous vegetation included sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) and Texas wintergrass (Stipa leucotricha) (Bryant et al, 1981). Chief industrial use of the study area was for cattle, sheep, and goat production.…”

Seasonal Deer Diets in Central Texas and Their Response to Brush Control

“…Several forbs consumed (Table 2), such as hedeoma, sida, and croton, are considered of little use as deer food (Harmel, 1978;Bryant et al, 1981). Their relatively high frequency of occurrence in the total and monthly diets was attributed to several factors.…”