Ecological Studies of the Timber Wolf in Northeastern MinnesotaMech, L. David
Science
Ecological Studies of the Timber Wolf in Northeastern Minnesota
Mech, L. David
Deer -- Minnesota; Gray wolf -- Behavior -- Minnesota; Gray wolf -- Ecology -- Minnesota
An assumption was made that the age structure and incidence of
abnormalities in the sample of hunter-killed deer would be _reasonably
representative_ of those in the population at large, an assumption also
implicit in a similar comparison made by Pimlott _et al._ (1969). In
this respect, the following statements by Maguire and Severinghaus
(1954, p. 109) about deer in New York State are pertinent: "It may be
concluded that, considering the open season as a whole, wariness does
not significantly distort the age composition of the [deer] kill in
relation to that of the corresponding wild population, except possibly
for buck seasons of only 1 or 2 days duration.... A reliable appraisal
of the age composition of the kill by hunting may be obtained through
the operation of roadside checking stations." However, in critically
reviewing the present paper Severinghaus stated that in States such as
Minnesota, with fewer hunters and higher hunter success rates, age
compositions of deer from checking stations may not be the same as
those of wild populations. Reviewers Peek and Downing also made similar
comments.
Nevertheless, for our comparison with wolf-killed deer it is not
necessary that the hunter-kill age structure be exactly representative
of the age structure of the actual deer population. All that is
required is that there be reasonable agreement between the two. The
hunting regulations in our study area allow a 9-day period of taking
deer of any age or sex, and a single hunter may legally shoot as many
deer as he and his party or associates have permits for. Thus there is
no reason for selective hunting, and we feel confident that the age
structure of the hunter-kill in our study area does basically represent
that of the deer herd at large.
Two laboratory techniques were used for determining the ages of deer
from the lower jaws or mandibles--a tooth replacement and wear
technique (Severinghaus 1949) and an incisor-sectioning method (Gilbert
1966). The tooth-wear technique requires only the molariform teeth but
it is more subjective and inaccurate, particularly in older deer (Ryel
_et al._ 1961). Incisor sectioning requires only incisors and appears
to be much more accurate.
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