98th ESA Annual Meeting (August 4 -- 9, 2013)

August 03 - 09, 2013

OOS 19

White-Tailed Deer: Ecology, Management and Social Consequences Of An Overabundant Wildlife Species

Historically, many ungulate species in North America have been over-exploited through active hunting and non-management practices, resulting in extirpation or dramatic reductions in their numbers. Subsequently, the culture of hunting in some regions led to programs that promote ungulate game species (USFW), resulting in increased population sizes. More recently there has been a notable decline in the practice of hunting through decreased access to property and the movement of people to urban environments where hunting is viewed as less than civil. These two paths, coupled with profound changes in the landscape through the expansion of human development, and the reduction of native predators, has led to an explosion in the population size of some ungulate species. White-tailed deer are an excellent example of this process. White-tailed deer overabundance has led to declines in native tree and shrub regeneration and decreased biodiversity as well as an increase in the incidence of diseases vehicle collisions and losses of gardens and crops. The purpose of this session is to discuss deer management in our modern world, exploring both ecological and social implications of management practice.