Factors affecting survival of adult female white-tailed deer after coyote establishment in south Carolina

Recent evidence from the southeastern United States of high predation rates by coyotes (Canis latrans) on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns combined with reports of predation on adult female deer have prompted concern among wildlifemanagers and hunters regarding the effects ondeer populations.We examined survival rates and causes of mortality among 138 radiocollared adult female deer over 7 years at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, 2006–2013. Our model-averaged prediction of annual survival was 0.871 (95% CI = 0.839–0.902) and did not vary among years. The best model describing survival patterns included only month, with survival being lowest during November–December, which coincided with hunting season. Models assessing the effects of harvest and distance from a primary road also received support (∆AICc