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Winter food is a major factor in sustaining deer herds. The Denver Center, in cooperation with the Rocky Mountain 

 Forest and Range Experiment Station, is experimenting with chemical repellents in efforts to protect newly established 

 deer browse, in this case aspen regeneration. (Photo by Donald R. Dietz) 



Nutrient requirements of white-tailed deer. — 

 Studies of calcium and phosphorus utilization in 

 male deer, using specially designed metabolism 

 stalls, were continued through the year by the 

 Pennsylvania Unit. Deer were subjected to re- 

 stricted diets and sacrificed. Bone marrow condi- 

 tions paralleled the well-known New York studies. 

 The sequence in utilization of various body-fat 

 deposits appeared highly definitive as to stage of 

 malnutrition. Microflora in the rumen apparently 

 retained ability to digest carbohydrates much 

 longer than proteins when deer were subjected to 

 starvation diets for extended periods. Mainte- 

 nance of male deer on 16-hour days through the 

 use of artificial light, initiated June '22, 1963, has 



734-563 ( 



thus far resulted in a general retardation in antler 

 velvet rubout and molting of the summer pelage. 



Venison quality and palatability studies. — Fac- 

 tors influencing quality and palatability of venison 

 were studied by the Utah Unit. Washing the car- 

 cuss after field dressing and field cooling, or not 

 washing it, or not transporting the carcass while 

 it retained body heat, had no appreciable effect 

 on the quality and palatability of the deer tested. 

 Aging was found to be beneficial in developing 

 better flavor and greater tenderness in venison, 

 as well as making the carcass easier to handle, cut, 

 and wrap for storage. One week of aging gave 

 optimum results in flavor. Meat from animals 2 

 years old or less was preferred to that of the older 



33 



