Dispersal distance averaged 25.7 km and ranged from 7 to 

 83 km for 21 yearling males (Fig. 8.4). For 7 yearling 

 females, mean dispersal distance was 36.9 km, and the range 

 was 5 to 69 km (Fig. 8.5). The direction of dispersal for 

 yearling females was random (Rayleigh's Z=0.29, P>0.50), but 

 that for yearling males was non-random (Rayleigh's Z=8.48, 

 P<0.001). Dispersal by yearling males was bimodal; most males 

 dispersed in westerly and easterly directions, staying within 

 "river breaks" habitat. 



Individual Strategies 



To further understand factors affecting movements and 

 home range size and shape, plots of home range size, shape, 

 and intensity of use for individuals were instructive. 

 Closely overlapping home range polygons for 5 consecutive 

 years (age 5-9) of resident female 2679 are displayed in Fig. 

 8.6A. There was relatively little annual variation in home 

 range size, shape, or pattern of use, but annual PHR size 

 ranged from 2.7-4.8 km 2 . Intensity of use of the home range 

 area was not uniform (Fig. 8.6B). A 1.7 km 2 area in the 

 southern portion of the home range (24% of 7.1 km 2 life home 

 range) contained 50.3% of all relocations of this female. The 

 northern portion of her home range contained more steep, 

 south-facing slopes than the southern portion and although the 

 northern area was used yearlong to some extent, it was 

 consistently used only during periods of winter when snow was 

 deep. Statistical methods of home range analysis often reduce 

 or overlook the importance of these less intensively used 

 areas that are vital to the survival of deer. These 

 "auxiliary winter ranges" were usually poor in forage quantity 

 and quality and were less intensively used yearlong, but 

 provided some forage, stable footing, and warm microsites 

 during periods of cold temperature and deep snow. 



Life PHR for migratory female 1577 (age 3-4 and 6-10 

 years) was 19.9 km 2 (Fig. 8.7). Annual PHR varied from 4 . 6 to 

 16.6 km 2 ; the smallest and largest annual PHR occurred during 

 years with the mildest and most severe winters, respectively. 

 Female 1577 (Fig. 8.7) spent most of the spring-summer period 

 in the most southern portion of her home range, but during 

 autumn, a majority of her time was spent in an area about 3 km 

 north of her "summer range". Most winter relocations were in 

 or adjacent to the northern portion of the autumn area of use 

 (Fig. 8.7). During periods of very deep snow, she moved to 

 auxiliary wintering areas of very steep terrain north of her 

 normal winter range. 



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