SPRING DEER SURVEY I960 



After the imusually deep snow of 1958-59 > counts of dead deer 

 were carried out in many parts of the southern Ontario deer range in an 

 effort to determine the effects of the severe winter on our deer herds. 

 Difficulties were encountered in interpreting the results. We were unable 

 to determine whether or not the mortality observed had any great significance. 

 When a second severe winter was experienced in 1959-60, it was decided that 

 three surveys should be combined in order to obtain more meaningfull'^ata. 

 As well as counting dead deer, the pellet groups left by living deer were 

 counted as an index to deer populations, and the food plants present and 

 browsed were determined to bring to light any shortages in food supplies. 

 This report summarizes the results of the I96O spring deer surveys. 

 Dead Deer Counts 



As in the previous year, dead deer counts were made by three-man 

 crews walking one chain (66 ft.) apart through the woods and, therefore, 

 covering a continuous three chain wide strip. All deer found were described 

 and in many cases the jaw was collected for age determination and the femur 

 for estimating the physical condition of the deer. It was hoped that the 

 deer known to have actually starved could be determined in this way. The 

 results of the dead deer counts are shown in Table No. 1. 



From Table No. 1, it will be seen that 216 dead deer were found 

 (cf . 187 in 1959) on 322 miles of cruise line which covered 12.1 square miles 

 of forest (cf. 17. 1 sq. mi. in 1959). This is an average of 17.9 dead deer 

 per square mile (cf. 10.9 dead deer per squ. mi. in 1959). Somewhat less 

 cruise line was completed this year because other surveys were combined with 

 the dead deer cruise. 



It will be seen that heavy losses were discovered in Sudbury, 

 Pembroke and North Bay Districts. One deer yard in Parry Sound District and 

 one in Lake Simcoe District also showed heavy loss. In the remainder of the 

 Province, losses were medium to light. 



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