Seeing more deer lately? Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says that’s because it’s peak breeding season
Video courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR
(WFRV) – Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) say that anyone who says they are seeing more deer lately are right as it is now peak breeding season for Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer.
According to a release, the peak breeding season typically lasts from October 23 through November 11.
In a 3.5-mile subsection of the study area for the Southwest Wisconsin CWD, Deer and Predator Study during the 2020 peak rut, the tracked movement of 11 collared deer (four does, seven bucks) can be seen.
DNR officials say these 11 deer are just the ones they have collared and the actual number of deer in the area is likely to be much larger.
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They add that by having multiple deer collared in one area they can better understand deer movement and behavior.
From the deer tracked in the attached sped-up video, DNR officials were able to spot the following patterns and behaviors:
Crepuscular movements, meaning deer are most active at dawn and dusk.
Increased movement rate during the rut, where some bucks can be on the move at all hours of the day and for extended periods of time.
Different movement patterns among individuals, which could indicate breeding strategies and success.
Interactions between collared deer, like a buck tending a doe or bucks competing for breeding opportunities.
The Wisconsin DNR states that this type of study on a larger scale of all the deer in this area could help them to better understand movement ecology and help predict how and where diseases would spread.
For more information or to watch a slowed-down version of the deer tracking video click here.
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