Quick Answer
Areas with a higher concentration of aged whitetail tend to have a more stable and secure food source, often due to agricultural fields or abundant forest mast production, which allows deer to live longer and thrive in these environments.
Habitat Stability and Age
Habitat stability plays a significant role in determining the age structure of a whitetail deer population. Areas with consistent and reliable food sources, such as agricultural fields or forest mast production, tend to support a higher percentage of older deer. For example, a study in Wisconsin found that deer populations in areas with stable agricultural fields had a significantly higher proportion of deer aged 4.5 years or older (34.6%) compared to those in areas with less stable food sources (17.4%).
Food Availability and Deer Survival
Food availability is a critical factor in deer survival and can impact age structure. In areas with abundant food sources, deer are more likely to survive to older ages. A study in Illinois found that deer populations in areas with high mast production had a significantly higher survival rate for deer aged 1-3 years (83.2%) compared to those in areas with lower mast production (63.5%). This suggests that areas with reliable food sources can support a larger proportion of older deer.
Hunting Pressure and Age Structure
Hunting pressure can also impact age structure by removing older deer from the population. Areas with high hunting pressure tend to have a more skewed age structure, with a higher proportion of younger deer. In contrast, areas with low hunting pressure can support a more stable age structure, with a higher proportion of older deer. For example, a study in Michigan found that deer populations in areas with low hunting pressure had a significantly higher proportion of deer aged 4.5 years or older (27.5%) compared to those in areas with high hunting pressure (14.5%).
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