Vol. 23, No. 2 
Page 4 
much farther below their means than was true for the prairie chickens. No nests 
(0% of the means) of mourning dove, grasshopper sparrow, short-billed marsh wren, 
or goldfinch were found in sanctuary grassland in 1979 ; bobwhite quail, field 
sparrow, meadowlark, dickcissel, cottontail rabbits, and small mammals were 13%, 
14%, 27%, 40%, 30%, and 37% of their mean nest densities, respectively. As in 
1978, 2 bird species, the ring-necked pheasant and the endangered upland 
sandpiper, showed above-average densities of nests--0.26 and 0.08 nest per 10 
acres and 186% and 160% of their averages, respectively. 
These data suggest that prairie chickens are continuing to do quite well 
compared with other birds and mammals nesting on the sanctuaries. The current 
low nest densities for 9 of the 12 grassland birds, particularly resident 
species and those with limited migratory tendencies, are apparently the result 
of low breeding populations due to the past 3 severe winters. In addition, 
quail, doves, meadowlarks, and grasshopper sparrows are showing long-term 
declines in nest densities that are likely the result of local and regional 
habitat deterioration. 
Population levels of other nesting fauna on the sanctuaries are of concern 
because of their buffering effect. The buffer species help absorb pressure from 
predators, particularly during the nesting season. This phenomena was described 
in previous newsletters (MWRL 20(12):3 and 22(7):2-4). 
Ecology and Management of White-tailed Deer - W- 87 -R C. M. Nixon, 
L. P. Hansen, 
J. E. Chelsvig 
In January 1980, 5 female deer (2 adults and 3 fawns) were captured in 
Allerton Park, Piatt County, Illinois, with a rocket net. A radio transmitter 
collar was placed on 1 adult; the other 4 deer were fitted with black plastic 
collars with reflective plastic symbols for visual identification of individuals. 
The 3 marked fawns have been seen several times with the radio-collared deer, so 
we are tracking 4 deer with 1 radio. 
The radio-collared deer has been located 2-3 times per week since she was 
captured and released. She was first located 1,275 m northeast of the capture 
site in heavy cover near a pasture. This movement was probably due to our 
disturbance. We flushed her 2 other times and she and the fawns went to the same 
area. Less than 1 week after capture, these 4 deer were found within 250 m of 
the capture point and appeared to have fed on some of the leftover bait. 
The radio-collared doe also frequents a brush-covered ditch surrounded by 
disked corn stubble about 2,300 m south of the capture site. Large numbers of 
deer have been seen here, apparently attracted by a wheat field between the park 
and the ditch. 
The greatest distance this doe has moved is 3,100 m west of the capture 
site and she has been found there only once. We were surprised she moved this 
far and we are not sure why she did. 
We expect to establish more detailed descriptions of home ranges for 
individual deer after more radio tracking. 
