Survival and fidelity of an enclosed white-tailed deer population using capture-recapture-reporting data

The number of animal populations enclosed by impermeable fences has increased, which poses issues related to the behavior of individuals and populations. Despite the increased number of fenced enclosures, there is a paucity of survival and fidelity data on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from fenced enclosures. Therefore, we examined marked deer recaptures and resightings over 13 years for an enclosed population of white-tailed deer in Oklahoma, USA, to estimate survival and fidelity parameters. We found that a step model was the best model of survival for both sexes. Survival of females and males was greater after hunting was suspended. Average female survival was 77% before hunting was suspended but increased to 98% after. Male survival was also greater after (99%) hunting was suspended compared to before (58%). Females exhibited greater site fidelity (84-94%) than males for all age groups except old individuals, which showed similar site fidelities for males and females. Fidelity was highest for old males (85%), followed by adult (74%), fawn (61%), and yearling males (56%). Our high-tensile electric fence allowed management goals to be achieved through increased survival while potentially maintaining genetic diversity through the exchange of limited numbers of individuals from surrounding areas. However, if the goal is to confine deer to limit disease spread or protect sensitive areas (e.g., airports) from deer encroachment, then other fence designs may be necessary, because our fence was not completely effective at controlling deer movements for these purposes.