Effects of Browse Rejuvenation on White-tailed Deer Diets and Nutrition

Abstract

We determined the effects of roller chopping (20% of a 1,000-acre area, once per year in separate strips to rejuvenate browse) on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Raf.) diet composition and nutritional indices in a guajillo (Acacia berlandieri Benth.) - and black brush acacia (Acacia rigidula Benth.) - community in Southern Texas. Browse comprised a greater percentage of deer diets in a control area than in the treated area during October 1986, but was similar in deer diets in the control and roller-chopped areas on other sampling dates. Femur marrow fat and kidney fat indices of deer from the roller-chopped and control areas were similar. Rumen crude protein of deer from the control area exceeded that of deer from the roller-chopped area. Based on our results, we suggest that the idea of browse rejuvenation improving deer nutrition should not be accepted as axiomatic without further testing.