An analysis of habitat-use patterns of fallow and sika deer based on culling data from two estates in Co. Wicklow.

Abstract

Deer harvest data are commonly used to reconstruct deer-forest dynamics and predict trends in relative abundance and potential damage. This study investigated the spatial distribution of deer harvest locations for two adjacent estates, Ballycurry and Cloragh, in Co. Wicklow, Ireland. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how spatial factors (e.g. habitat types and distributions) affect the frequency and locations of culling events. Particularly, we tested the role of spatial heterogeneity in determining the occurrence of culling events; factors analysed were land use, forest type and forest age. A nearest neighbour analysis was applied first, followed by a kernel density analysis and a multi-ring buffer analysis, for fallow deer (Dama dama) and sika deer (Cervus nippon) separately, to determine the factors that attracted the two deer species to specific locations. Finally, the hunting effort (hours per deer) in each season and the degree to which different deer species avoid areas of public disturbance (main roads) were examined.