An analysis of factors influencing hunter participation and deer harvest

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorParker, Warren Troweren
dc.contributor.departmentFisheries and Wildlife Sciencesen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:38:22Zen
dc.date.adate2010-06-12en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:38:22Zen
dc.date.issued1977en
dc.date.rdate2010-06-12en
dc.date.sdate2010-06-12en
dc.description.abstractMany years of continuous collections of deer kill data on state game management areas have largely been poorly utilized by deer biologists. Recent computer modeling developments have provided a vehicle for the examination of these collections of data. This thesis represents an attempt to demonstrate the usefulness of minimum population reconstruction in defining those populations that best contrast different harvest strategies. Buck-only deer hunting is compared to either-sex hunting on two similar areas. To determine if variables such as weather are acting to alter hunter participation and harvest in southeastern deer herds, 25 independent variables were tested. Correlation coefficients and maximum R² improvements provided the statistical basis for drawing conclusions concerning the relative "strength" of these variables. Higher than normal temperatures before and during the hunt were found to be positive contributors to harvest, as was precipitation before the hunt. Hunt days that followed nights of full moon also demonstrated a positive, but generally weak association with kill. The size of the deer population on an area, and the number of hunters that participate in a hunt were found to be the most powerful contributors to overall deer harvest. An evaluation of vegetative density indicated that buck hunting is most successful on areas that are more open, whereas doe harvest was related more to a denser vegetative classification. Buck-only hunting, when promoted over long periods of time, was found to drastically distort male age structure in favor of young age classes. Heavy either-sex harvests, however, provided not only a greater harvest of deer, but sex and age classes remained relatively stable in the herd. Continual monitoring of deer kill and careful analysis of reliable data through modeling is a most efficient method for not only detecting potential problems in herd welfare, but also in the establishment of forthcoming hunt regulations.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.extentxi, 130 leavesen
dc.format.mediumBTDen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.otheretd-06122010-020331en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-06122010-020331/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/43253en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartLD5655.V855_1977.P365.pdfen
dc.relation.isformatofOCLC# 39849911en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subject.lccLD5655.V855 1977.P365en
dc.titleAn analysis of factors influencing hunter participation and deer harvesten
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineFisheries and Wildlife Sciencesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
LD5655.V855_1977.P365.pdf
Size:
6.35 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download

Collections

Masters Theses