Mortality of Adult Male White-Tailed Deer in South Texas

I estimated mortality of male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) using telemetry on 2 areas in south Texas, and life-table analysis of age frequencies of live-caught males on 2 other areas. The mean annual mortality rate in the telemetry study was 0.29. The annual survival rate was similar (P > 0.47) between ranches. Seasonal survival rates were similar (P > 0.15) within ranches. Cause of death could not be determined for 10 of 23 males. Three, 2, 4, and 3 males were killed by coyotes (Canis latrans), mountain lions (Felis concolor), legal hunting, and poaching, respectively. One male was wounded by a hunter and died. An annual mortality rate of 0.25 was estimated from the live-caught males. There was no difference (P > 0.28) in the rate between the 2 areas in the live-capture study. These data show that managing for mature males can be inefficient because 25-29% of males/year will die before reaching mature age.